Gloria Burkhard
April 3rd, 1941 - June 2nd, 2025
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Gloria's Obituary
In Loving Memory of Gloria Iva (Naylor) Burkhard, a beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and great-great-grandmother, passed away peacefully on Monday, June 2, 2025. She was born April 3, 1941 in Benton Harbor Michigan, as the second child of Marvin “Bud” and Josephine Naylor. She attended St. John’s Catholic School in Benton Harbor. She married Andrew “Andy” Burkhard on September 5, 1959.
She was a dental assistant before starting her most cherished role—raising eight children with boundless love and care. She found joy in the warmth of family, watching it grow to include 27 grandchildren, 33 great-grandchildren, and 6 great-great-grandchildren. Always full of life, she spent 43 years tending bar, where she made countless friendships and became a fixture of her community. She enjoyed her many hobbies—sewing dolls, drawing, painting, and her favorite, nurturing her beautiful flower gardens and perfectly kept lawn. After the passing of her beloved husband, Andy, she retired at 65.
Her presence brought joy to many, and She will be deeply missed, leaving behind a legacy of her love and kindness to live on and bloom in the memories of those she leaves behind.
She is survived by her children: Lisa (James) Bolyard, Laura (Dan) Montey, Glenn (Liz) Burkhard, Lucy (Guy) Wright Pelletier, Mary (David) Clark, Nick (Brandie Jo) Burkhard, Frank (Nidia) Burkhard. She was also survived by grandchildren: James, Rebekah, Amanda, Heather, Jessica, Brian, Joshua, Heather, April, James, Kyle, Brandon, Phillip, Robyn, Racheal, Rob, Shelby, Cody, Kayla, Joseph, Brianna, Ryan, Frank Jr., Jessenia, Ashley, Andrew; her sisters JoAnn Burgess, Lucy Kubash, Half Sister D’Jera Mucia and numerous nieces and nephews.
In addition to her husband of 46 years, Gloria was proceeded in death by her parents, infant son Andrew Jr, son Robert, son-in-law James, granddaughter Amber, great-granddaughters Amara, Chloe and Harley, and her faithful Dog Auggie of 16 years.
Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 11:00 A.M. Friday, June 6, 2025, at St. Bernard Catholic Church, 555 E. Delaware, Benton Harbor. Friends may visit with the family, Thursday from 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM with the Rosary recited at 6:45 PM at Starks & Menchinger Chapel, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph. Memorial donations in Gloria’s name may be made to St. John/St. Bernard Parish or The Michigan Foundation for the Blind & Visually Impaired. Private burial will take place at a later date at Mt. Pleasant Cemetery in Sodus. Those wishing to sign Gloria’s Memory Book online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com.
She was a dental assistant before starting her most cherished role—raising eight children with boundless love and care. She found joy in the warmth of family, watching it grow to include 27 grandchildren, 33 great-grandchildren, and 6 great-great-grandchildren. Always full of life, she spent 43 years tending bar, where she made countless friendships and became a fixture of her community. She enjoyed her many hobbies—sewing dolls, drawing, painting, and her favorite, nurturing her beautiful flower gardens and perfectly kept lawn. After the passing of her beloved husband, Andy, she retired at 65.
Her presence brought joy to many, and She will be deeply missed, leaving behind a legacy of her love and kindness to live on and bloom in the memories of those she leaves behind.
She is survived by her children: Lisa (James) Bolyard, Laura (Dan) Montey, Glenn (Liz) Burkhard, Lucy (Guy) Wright Pelletier, Mary (David) Clark, Nick (Brandie Jo) Burkhard, Frank (Nidia) Burkhard. She was also survived by grandchildren: James, Rebekah, Amanda, Heather, Jessica, Brian, Joshua, Heather, April, James, Kyle, Brandon, Phillip, Robyn, Racheal, Rob, Shelby, Cody, Kayla, Joseph, Brianna, Ryan, Frank Jr., Jessenia, Ashley, Andrew; her sisters JoAnn Burgess, Lucy Kubash, Half Sister D’Jera Mucia and numerous nieces and nephews.
In addition to her husband of 46 years, Gloria was proceeded in death by her parents, infant son Andrew Jr, son Robert, son-in-law James, granddaughter Amber, great-granddaughters Amara, Chloe and Harley, and her faithful Dog Auggie of 16 years.
Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 11:00 A.M. Friday, June 6, 2025, at St. Bernard Catholic Church, 555 E. Delaware, Benton Harbor. Friends may visit with the family, Thursday from 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM with the Rosary recited at 6:45 PM at Starks & Menchinger Chapel, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph. Memorial donations in Gloria’s name may be made to St. John/St. Bernard Parish or The Michigan Foundation for the Blind & Visually Impaired. Private burial will take place at a later date at Mt. Pleasant Cemetery in Sodus. Those wishing to sign Gloria’s Memory Book online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com.
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Additional Visitation Information
The Rosary will be recited at 6:45 P.M. Thursday at the funeral home.