Gloria Ann Burkett Houtman
April 8th, 1934 - May 3rd, 2025
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Gloria's Obituary
Gloria Ann Burkett Houtman, 91, of Decatur, passed away peacefully on Saturday, May 3, 2025 at her home in Decatur. She was born April 8, 1934 in Centreville, MI to Isaac and Florence (Hamann) Long.
A committal service will take place at 11am, Friday, May 9, 2025 at Lakeside Cemetery, Decatur. Immediately following, a celebration of life ceremony will be held at 11:30am, Friday, May 9, 2025 at the VFW Post 6248, 560 N. Phelps St., Decatur, MI, Pastor Jim Abshagen officiating. Memorial contributions may be given to the VFW Post 6248 at the address above.
When Gloria was two, she moved with her parents to Mishawaka where she attended grade school until 5th grade when the family moved to Penn Township in Michigan; a small enough school that she was the only 5th grade attendee! She attended high school in Dowagiac, catching rides with those who worked at Rudy Manufacturing until she was old enough to drive her senior year. When her father died unexpectedly her junior year, Gloria attended high school in the morning and worked at Weavers Insurance in the afternoon, graduating in 1952. While working at Weavers, she met Charles Burkett; they were married March 22, 1952 in South Bend, IN. As their family grew, Gloria and Charles moved onto a farm just outside of Decatur, where they continued to grow and nurture their family.
In 1972, Gloria and Charles purchased Burkett Sawmill & Wood Products in Decatur; Gloria working in the office until the business closed in May of 1989. Charles passed away in August of 1985 and Gloria went on to meet Burton Houtman in 1988; they were married on May 20, 1989. Gloria and Burton moved to Decatur and resided there until their passings.
She loved to play golf and spend time with her family. Cooking was her specialty, but she loved baking bread and pies the most. She especially enjoyed her red hat, Club, and her special friends.
Gloria will be missed by her children, Tim (JoAnn) Burkett, Bruce (Lori) Burkett, Tom (Linda) Burkett, Kelly (Leslie) Burkett, and Jan (Randy) Wilson; 10 grandchildren; 14 great grandchildren; and his stepdaughters, Debbie (Ken) Stull, and Susie (John) Soave.
She is preceded in death by her first husband, Charles Burkett; her second husband, Burton Houtman; her daughter, Karen (Stan) Sprang; eight siblings; and her parents.
The family is comforted knowing she is in heaven with her savior, Lord Jesus Christ.
A committal service will take place at 11am, Friday, May 9, 2025 at Lakeside Cemetery, Decatur. Immediately following, a celebration of life ceremony will be held at 11:30am, Friday, May 9, 2025 at the VFW Post 6248, 560 N. Phelps St., Decatur, MI, Pastor Jim Abshagen officiating. Memorial contributions may be given to the VFW Post 6248 at the address above.
When Gloria was two, she moved with her parents to Mishawaka where she attended grade school until 5th grade when the family moved to Penn Township in Michigan; a small enough school that she was the only 5th grade attendee! She attended high school in Dowagiac, catching rides with those who worked at Rudy Manufacturing until she was old enough to drive her senior year. When her father died unexpectedly her junior year, Gloria attended high school in the morning and worked at Weavers Insurance in the afternoon, graduating in 1952. While working at Weavers, she met Charles Burkett; they were married March 22, 1952 in South Bend, IN. As their family grew, Gloria and Charles moved onto a farm just outside of Decatur, where they continued to grow and nurture their family.
In 1972, Gloria and Charles purchased Burkett Sawmill & Wood Products in Decatur; Gloria working in the office until the business closed in May of 1989. Charles passed away in August of 1985 and Gloria went on to meet Burton Houtman in 1988; they were married on May 20, 1989. Gloria and Burton moved to Decatur and resided there until their passings.
She loved to play golf and spend time with her family. Cooking was her specialty, but she loved baking bread and pies the most. She especially enjoyed her red hat, Club, and her special friends.
Gloria will be missed by her children, Tim (JoAnn) Burkett, Bruce (Lori) Burkett, Tom (Linda) Burkett, Kelly (Leslie) Burkett, and Jan (Randy) Wilson; 10 grandchildren; 14 great grandchildren; and his stepdaughters, Debbie (Ken) Stull, and Susie (John) Soave.
She is preceded in death by her first husband, Charles Burkett; her second husband, Burton Houtman; her daughter, Karen (Stan) Sprang; eight siblings; and her parents.
The family is comforted knowing she is in heaven with her savior, Lord Jesus Christ.
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