God called and Linda A. Burkhart, 71, of Bedford, joyfully went to join her son Mark on Tuesday, October 18, 2016 at the Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, MD.  Born in Bedford on October 2, 1945, to the late James Clair and Margaret (Smith) Allen, Linda graduated from Bedford High School in 1963 along with her best friend Sandy and the gang (Nancy, Sharon, and Jamie). After high school, she graduated from Western Maryland School of Nursing in 1966 as a Registered Nurse.

Her first marriage to Michael Way was blessed with three beloved sons: David, Mark, and Craig.  She then married Dr. Charles Burkhart, the man who took her to Montana, in 1983.  This marriage provided five terrific stepchildren and more adventures than she thought possible.  After eleven years of widowhood, Linda married classmate Thomas Vent on July 16, 2011 and completed the circle of coming back to Bedford. 

Linda enjoyed growing up in Bedford in her wonderful family and later living in Montana. She loved her Boston Terriers, being outdoors, and was an avid hiker and walker.  She deeply appreciated Glacier National Park and said being there was like sitting in God’s lap. 

Worshipping in a small church community wherever she lived, Linda found a home at St. James Episcopal Church.  There she was blessed with an incredible church family and two wonderful priests.

Linda is survived by her husband Thomas E. Vent and her two sons: David Way, his wife Jan, and their children Rihannon and Chris, of Pottstown, PA; and Craig Way, also of Pottstown.  Additionally, she is survived by seven stepchildren: Charles Burkhart and his wife Patti, of Wayne, PA; Calvert Burkhart and his wife Brett, of London, England; Caroline Shaw and her husband Bob, of Lawrenceville, NJ; Catherine Easter and her husband Teddy, of Cockeysville, MD; Clarissa Lyon and her husband Jeff, of Berwyn, PA; Jamie Atala and her husband Eric of Arlington, VA; and Chad Vent and his wife Angel, of Ocean City, MD.  Her thirteen step grandchildren include Chuck, Carrie, Will, Blythe, Brooke, Catie, Callie, Isabelle, Charlotte, Emma, Morgan, Gavin, and Summer.  Linda’s sister, Anna May Weaver, and her husband Willie of Somerset, PA; her dear brother, James "Milky" Allen of Newark, DE, and her sister-in-law Anna Mae Allen of Bedford, along with her nieces and nephews, also survive her. Finally, Linda is survived by her deeply-loved friends of Whitefish, Montana.  She was preceded in death by son, Mark Way, and brother, Joe Allen.

A memorial service will be held on Wednesday, October 26, at 11:00 a.m. at St. James Episcopal Church, in Bedford, with Father Patrick Pierce and The Rev. C. Edward Pritts officiating.  Arrangements are being made by the Timothy A. Berkebile Funeral Home in Bedford.   In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Linda’s name to St. James Episcopal Church, 309 South Richard Street, Bedford, PA 15522, or to The Humane Society of the United States, Dept: Memorial Donations, 1255 23rd Street, NW, Suite 450, Washington, DC 20037. Our online guest book is available at www.berkebilefuneralhome.com. 

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