Michael L. Burkhar
Michael L. Burkhart, Funeral Director, 67, died Friday, October 21, 2016 at his home in Dodge City. He was born December 30, 1948 at St. Anthony Hospital, Dodge City, Kansas, the son of Victor J. and Agnes P. Schlereth Burkhart
He attended Pleasant View one-room School for 2 years in Hodgeman County, Kansas. He graduated from Sacred Heart, Dodge City Junior High, Dodge City Senior High, and Dodge City Community College in Dodge City. He attended St. Mary of the Plains in Dodge City. He graduated from Central State University, Edmond, Oklahoma, with a Bachelor’s Degree in Mortuary Science. He earned a degree and numerous certifications in Fire Science.
He was a Kansas licensed funeral director, licensed embalmer, and crematory operator. He was a licensed funeral director and embalmer in the state of Oklahoma. He was an entrepreneur, being past owner of the Lora-Locke Hotel, Dodge Theatre, Plaza Professional Center, Speakeasy Club, Plaza Professional Credit Bureau, and Burr Parking Garage. Through the past 45 years he owned funeral homes in Dodge City, Cimarron, Jetmore, and Sublette. He was a Reserve Squad Firefighter and EMT for Ford County Fire & EMS. He served as chairman of the Kansas Health Care Coalition Steering Committee. He was an Extra-Class Ham Radio Operator. He was owner and operator of Burkhart Engineering. He was very active on the National NHRA racing circuit. He enjoyed driving his antique cars and riding his Indian motorcycle. He was a life-long Dodge City area historian. Both sides of his family homesteaded in Hodgeman County in the 1880’s, coming from Germany, via Russia.
He was a member of the Cathedral of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Knights of Columbus Council #2955, Dodge City Lion’s Club, National Funeral Director’s Association, held various offices in the Kansas Funeral Director’s Association, National Packard Automobile Club, Mid-America Packards, Rocky Mountain Packards, Professional Car Society, Antique Automobile Club, Pierce-Arrow Society, Society for the Preservation of Antique Fire Apparatus. He was a former president and 35 year member of Dodge City Rotary Club, Paul Harris Fellow, Centurion Club, and former President of Coronado Car Club. He was a member of the National Hot Rod Association. He drag-raced on the national circuit for several years. He was a member of Southwest Kansas Emergency Response Team, Southwest Kansas Emergency Response Team, and Southwest Kansas Emergency Communications Team.
On August 14, 1987 he married Mindy Ziegler. She survives. Other survivors include a daughter, Michelle Burkhart, San Diego, California, son, Michael, II and wife Tara, Dodge City, step-son, Zachary McElgunn and wife Argelia, Dodge City, brother, Darrell and wife, Beverly, Dodge City, and one step-grandson, Cayden McElgunn. He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Larry in 2016.
Vigil Service followed by Knights of Columbus rosary will be at 7:00 pm Tuesday, October 25, 2016 both at Ziegler Funeral Chapel, Dodge City. Funeral Mass will be 10:00 am Wednesday at the Cathedral of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Dodge City, with Fr. Wesley Schawe presiding. Entombment will follow at Greencrest Mausoleum of Peace, Dodge City. Visitation will be Tuesday from noon to 7:00 pm at Ziegler Funeral Chapel.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials to Ford County Fire & EMS Education Fund in care of Ziegler Funeral Chapel, 1901 N. 14th Ave., Dodge City, Kansas 67801.
