Diane K. Burkhart

Diane K. Burkhart, 70, of Evansville, passed away Sunday, September 10, 2023, at Deaconess Hospital Gateway Campus surrounded by her immediate family. Diane was born January 22, 1953, in Evansville to the late Starlus E. “Tom” and Catherine (Hartig) Buttry. She attended West Heights Elementary, Helfrich Park Middle School and FJ Reitz HS, graduating in 1971. In High School she was in Future Teachers of America and several other clubs. She knew at a young age that she wanted to be a teacher because of the influence of her 2nd grade teacher. She chose Ball State University because it was known for its education program. She was selected as a freshman to enter a curriculum that put students into the classroom beginning their first year. It also allowed students to teach in the Great Britain school system. While in England she lived with a host family. She has remained in contact with them annually ever since the experience. Following the classroom experience she toured Europe for 4 weeks before returning to campus. She graduated in 1975 with her BA. and later obtained her MA from Indiana State University. She began her teaching career at an elementary school near Crawfordsville, Indiana. She met her future husband during her Senior year at BSU. He was the President of the Student Education Association where she served as Secretary. They married in 1976 and moved to Evansville. She continued her teaching career at West Side Consolidated Catholic Schools retiring in 2013. Her many students adored her, and her colleagues loved working with her. They appreciated her humor which helped them enjoy each teaching day. She took dance lessons through her senior year, played intermural basketball in HS, was a member of the National Honor Society and competed in the Indiana State Miss FTA pageant. She was extremely organized in her professional and personal life. She loved her family, and it was important that her sons have the opportunity to experience extracurricular activities. Both participated in numerous sports teams and were in music programs including marching band, orchestra, and honors groups. She was a member of the PTA and belonged to the booster clubs of the activities her sons were involved with. Diane was a life member of St. Paul’s United Church of Christ where she once served as Chairman of the Christian Education Committee. She pledged Alpha Phi sorority at BSU, was a member of Alpha Delta Kappa teacher sorority, Posey County Retired Educators, Evansville Retired Teachers, Big Blue Boosters Director, and VFW Axillary. She also enjoyed photography of her family and travel. She began collecting Wedgewood Pottery after visiting the factory in England during her college experience. In retirement she also began acquiring other collectables and antiques. Surviving Diane are her husband of 47 years, Wendell Burkhart; two sons and their wives, Brian and Chelsea Burkhart and Bradley and Julie Burkhart, as well as four grandchildren, Makayla, Lex, Lucas, and Lincoln Burkhart. While her health would allow, she attended as many activities of her grandchildren as possible. Her cancer journey began in 1996 when her sons were 14 and 10. She continued to be heavily involved with them and continued teaching after completing chemotherapy. The cancer remained dormant for 18 years before returning as stage 4 metastatic breast cancer. She returned to St. Louis for treatment in 2014 where she had her original breast surgery. The cancer advanced slowly in her bones until 2022 when it moved into soft tissue. She entered hospice care on September 8th. Funeral services for Diane will be held at 10:00 AM on Saturday, September 16, 2023, at Pierre Funeral Home, Rev. JD Rose and Rev. Jeff Long officiating. Entombment will follow in Memorial Park Cemetery. Friends may visit with the family from 3:00 until 7:00 PM on Friday at Pierre Funeral Home, 2601 W. Franklin Street. Memorial contributions may be made to the Santa Clothes Club, 4000 E. Division Street, Suite A, Evansville, IN 47715, Reitz Big Blue Boosters, P.O. Box 6272, Evansville, IN 47719-0272 or to St. Paul’s UCC, 7700 Middle Mt. Vernon Road, Evansville, IN 47712. Condolences may be made online at www.pierrefuneralhome.com.

Diane K. Burkhart

January 22, 1953 - September 10, 2023