Paul R. Burckhart

Paul Ressler Burckhart, 88, died November 19, 2021. He was born August 1, 1933, to Elias and Mabel Ressler Burckhart in Orrville Ohio. Paul’s father was a plumber and Paul learned his trade at his father’s side. He took courses and became a master plumber. Paul first met his future wife Marna Gaeddert in Akron Pennsylvania. Marna was working for MCC and Paul was in MCC orientation. Later Paul was in Newton for his alternative military service working to build Prairie View Hospital, while Marna had returned from Pennsylvania and was working as a secretary, also at Prairie View. They were married on a beautiful spring day, March 26, 1955. After their marriage Paul and Marna moved to Ohio where they lived for the first couple years. While there they welcomed Sheryl into their family. Paul was working at his father’s plumbing business at that time. In the mid-50’s work was slow in Ohio and while visiting in Kansas, Paul found work, so they decided to move here. They lived the first year or so in Newton, but then moved to their longtime home on Main Street in Hesston. After their move to Kansas, Kristen, Kay, and Phil joined the family. Paul and Marna started Paul’s Inc. in 1960. They originally operated the business from their home and later moved to a location on the corner of Lancaster and Reusser St. On March 13, 1990, a tornado devastated much of Hesston, and Paul’s Inc. was one of the buildings destroyed. The business then moved further north of the original location on Lancaster. The business remains at this location. Paul and Marna were active members of the Hesston Mennonite Church. Paul taught Sunday school classes for over 50 years. The kids remember on Saturday evenings, when they were little, the family would head down to the church. Paul would use the bible commentary to prepare for Sunday school and Marna would practice the organ. Service was very important to Paul: he was on the board for Camp Mennoscah and helped with the construction of several buildings on the Hopi Reservation in Arizona. Professionally he served his community. Too many times to count Paul would come to the rescue for families in need of emergency repairs. These emergencies would often occur on weekends and holidays, but Paul was always ready to help. His children remember having to wait on Santa Claus because dad was out helping others on Christmas day. Over the years they have enjoyed traveling to Canada, Europe, Costa Rica, and various places around the U.S. Family was very important to Paul and Marna they made numerous trips to Colorado, West Virginia, and Ohio. Having all the kids at home was always a special time for the whole family. The grandkids have special memories of trips to the donut shop, to Braum’s and playing games with Grandma and Grandpa. Paul is survived by his wife Marna, daughters Sheryl (Wes) Miller of St. Clairsville, Ohio, Kristen (Mark) Mayhue of North Newton, Kansas, Kay (Dave) Swartzendruber of Lakewood, Colorado, and son Phil (Joanne) Burckhart of Buhler, Kansas. Grandchildren: Aaron (Angie) Miller, Lancaster, PA, Kindra (Seth) Filburn, Shadyside, Ohio, Seth (Victoria ) Miller, Columbus, Ohio, Rachael Miller of Wheeling, West Virginia, Blaire (Matt Stucky) Mayhue, North Newton, Kansas, Erin Mayhue, Manhattan, Kansas, Cody Swartzendruber, Edwards, Colorado, Garrett Swartzendruber, Steamboat Springs, Colorado, and Luke Burckhart, Buhler, Kansas. Great-Grandchildren: Isaiah, Maya, Josiah, Gideon Filburn, Adeline and Asa Miller, Owen Stucky. Sisters: Carolyn Powers of Wooster, Ohio and Mary (Bill) Hoover of Orrville, Ohio. Numerous sister and brother-in-laws, nieces, and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, sister Marilyn Burckhart and granddaughter Sara Swartzendruber. Private family burial will take place at Hesston Cemetery. Memorial services will be held at 1 p.m., Saturday, November 27, 2021 at Hesston Mennonite Church with family greeting friends following the service. It will also be live-streamed at www.hesstonmc.org/memorial. Memorial contributions may be made to Mennonite Central Committee or Camp Mennoscah in care of Miller-Ott Funeral Home, PO Box 32, Hesston KS 67062.

Paul R. Burckhart

August 1, 1933 - November 19, 2021