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
