Thomas F. Burkhammer, 84, of DeGraff, passed away Friday morning, March 6, 2020, at Logan Acres Care Center.
He was born in Camden, West Virginia, on Sept. 19, 1935, to the late James Franklin and Martha Ann (Messenger) Burkhammer. Tom was also preceded in death by a son, David Matlock; sisters, Margie Burkhammer, Emogene Burkhammer, and Alice Blackwell; and brothers, Jim, Clarence, and Willie Burkhammer.
Tom married the former Thelma Jean Sprouse on Dec. 13, 1958, in Weston, West Virginia, and she survives in DeGraff. He is also survived by his children: Thomas Burkhammer of DeGraff, Robert (Amie) Burkhammer of Bellefontaine, Raymond Burkhammer of Lewistown, Roger (Marcia) Burkhammer of Jackson Center, Linda (Willie Conley) Burkhammer of Orlando, West Virginia, Kim (Jim Metz) Eagy of Lewistown, Brian (Kathy) Burkhammer of Bellefontaine, Gerri (Seth) Wright of Huntsville, and Greg (Holly) Burkhammer of Ashland; 27 grandchildren; 33 great-grandchildren; brothers: Joseph (Pam) Burkhammer of Bellefontaine, Raymond V. (Jeannie) Burkhammer of North Lewisburg, and Jerry Burkhammer of Bellefontaine; a sister Nancy (Russell) Wampler of Bellefontaine; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Tom was a veteran of the U.S. Air Force, having served during the Korean Conflict. He retired from Indian Lake State Park in 1991 after 15 years of work. In his spare time, Tom enjoyed working on cars, watching auto races, listening to country music, and just loving life. He loved his grandchildren very much, and was known to be the ornery one of the bunch.
Friends may call Tuesday, March 10, 2020, from 2 to 4 p.m. and from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Eichholtz Daring & Sanford Funeral Home & Cremation Center, Bellefontaine. Pastor Bobbi Allen officiates the funeral service on Wednesday, March 11, at 2 p.m. at the funeral home. Burial follows in Highland Memorial Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the family in the care of Eichholtz Daring & Sanford Funeral Home, 321 N. Main St. Bellefontaine, Ohio, 43311. Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.edsfh.com.