Elvina E. Burkholder 1918-2010
Elvina E. Burkholder, 91, of Pandora died at 10:55 p.m. Feb. 7, 2010, at the Hilty Memorial Home, Pandora. A funeral service will be held 11 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 16, at the Grace Mennonite Church, Pandora. Visitation will be from 2-8 p.m. Monday at the church.
Elvina Ellen (Burry) Burkholder was the seventh of nine children, born to Albert and Sarah (Hilty) Burry. She was born on Oct. 7, 1918, in Putnam County.
Mrs. Burkholder was a mother, homemaker and wife to Ray L. Burkholder of 71 years. They were married on Aug. 21, 1938 at Grace Mennonite Church, in Pandora. Elvina was known for her delicious pies (for the Pandora's Lunch Box), cinnamon rolls and most all foods. One year Elvina baked and donated over 300 pies for the Pandora-Gilboa Booster, fair booth.
She worked alongside her husband on the farm for over 50 years. She was active in many areas of the Grace Mennonite Church, including the Women's, Funeral Aid and Social Committees.
Elvina and Ray have three sons: David (Tisha) Burkholder, Bradenton, Fla., Donald (Darlene) Burkholder, Ottawa, and Dean (Jini) Burkholder, Phoenix, Ariz., and six daughters: Sara Beth (Roland) Etter, Pandora, Carolyn (Brian) Haller, Swanton, Betty (Wayne) Yarnell, Continental, Janice (Joe) Edman, Bluffton, Debbie (Tom) Johnson, Ft. Wayne, Ind., and Barbara Ann (Guy) Verhoff, Pandora.
Elvina and Ray have 27 grandchildren, 43 great-grandchildren and 5 great great grandchildren: eight step grandchildren and 14 step great-grandchildren.
Elvina is survived by sisters: Lucille Bucher, Bluffton, and Agnes (Joe) Pepple, Waynesfield, sister-in-laws: Jessie Nash, Leipsic, Jenny Burkholder, East Liberty, and Jean Newhouse, Lima; brother-in-laws Virgil Allgire, Rockport, and Bob Stall, Gainesville, Fla.
She was preceded in death by: Melvina (Burry) Isaac Neuenschwander, Ben Burry, Vilas (Marcella Basinger) Burry, Elnora (Burry) Harold Rayle, Margaret (Burry) Franklin Basinger, Mary Burry (6 mths), Velma (Burkholder) Weldon Basinger, Mary Burkholder infant, Vera (Burkholder) Allgire, Clare Burkholder and Laura (Burkholder) Stall.
Rev. Dennis Schmidt will officiate the funeral service. Interment will follow in Pleasant Ridge Cemetery, Pandora.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Grace Mennonite Church or a charity of the donor's choice. Arrangements by Chiles-Laman Funeral Home, Bluffton
Stories Posted This Week
Friday, April 4, 2025
- Robert "Bob" O. Town served in the U.S. Navy
- Applications for Bluffton community pool jobs due April 10
- Bolen sentenced to 19 years to life in prison
- Tornado in Putnam County on April 2
- Pirate boys tennis edges Indians
- Brendon Matthews named Chief Executive Officer at First National Bank
- BHS spring musical is Bringing Down the House
Thursday, April 3, 2025
Wednesday, April 2, 2025
- Tornado Watch issued for Allen, Hancock, Hardin and Putnam counties at 9:15 p.m. on April 2
- Flood Warning issued for Allen County at 11:03 a.m.
- Pirate tennis loss at Elida
- Pirate softball loses opener to Ada
- Pirate baseball falls to Ada
- Allen County will not test warning sirens on April 2
- March 2025 land transfers in the Bluffton Exempted Village School District
- April 22 crash report shows driver hit N. Dixie home
- Bluffton High School Honor Roll announced for 3rd quarter of 2024-2025
Tuesday, April 1, 2025
- Obituary for Betty C. Mumaugh
- Leo Club supports Bluffton Clean Up
- Wind, rain and potential flooding for April 2
- Grandey to major in education, play basketball at John Carroll
- Pirate tennis blanks Bath
- Pirate baseball sweeps opening twin bill vs. Pandora-Gilboa
- “I Have Not Forsaken the Word of God” reader's theater, April 13
- Easter Cantata performed on April 13 in Pandora