Lawrence J. Burkett

Lawrence J. Burkett, 76, of Pensyl Hollow Road, Bedford, died Sunday, January 20, 2013 at UPMC Bedford Memorial Hospital. He was born on August 9, 1936, in Manns Choice, the son of the late Norman and Marie (Fochtman) Burkett. On May 4, 1959, in Bedford, he married Gloria Miller who survives along with the following family: a daughter, Linda Fluke and husband Joseph of Hopewell, daughter,  Norma McGee of Bedford, son, Larry Burkett and wife Rebecca of Jennerstown, daughter, Tammy Taylor and husband Craig of New Paris, 11 grandchildren:  Robert Margraff, Jolene Dodson, Jessica Allen, Kelly and Sean McGee, Jessie Hacksaw, Joshua, and Isaiah Thompson, Jonathon and, Sarah Burkett, and Preston Taylor, three great grandchildren:  Vanessa Douglas, Joseph Margraff, and Althea Allen, a twin brother, Clarence Burkett of Camp Hill, and a brother, Paul Burkett and wife Ann of New Baltimore.  He was preceded in death by a brother, Francis Burkett, and a sister, Catherine Suhrie.

Lawrence was a member of the St. Thomas Catholic Church and 3rd degree Knights of Columbus.  He worked at Penn Tire for 10 years and then went on to retire from Westinghouse  after putting in over 30 years.  He enjoyed gardening, hunting going to auctions and was a huge car enthusiast.

Funeral Mass will be held on Thursday, January 24, 2013, at 10:00 a.m. at the St. Thomas Catholic Church, in Bedford, with Father Donald Dusza, celebrant.  Burial at St. Thomas Catholic Cemetery. Friends will be received on Wednesday, from 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. at the funeral home where a vigil for the deceased will be held at 6:30 p.m. Arrangements by the Timothy A. Berkebile Funeral Home, in Bedford. Those wishing can make memorial contributions to Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, 960 Penn Avenue, Suite 1000,  Pittsburgh, PA 15222 Our online guest book is available at www.berkebilefuneralhome.com.