WOOSTER Roger Russell Burckhart, 81, of Wooster, passed away on Saturday December 12, 2020 at Wooster Community Hospital surrounded by his family following complications due to surgery.
Roger was born January 26, 1939 on the dining room table at the family farm in New Pittsburg to J. Russell and Pearl (Ogden) Burckhart, and is now reunited with them both and the rest of his heavenly family and friends.
Roger was a 1957 graduate of Northwestern High School. At the age of 19 he bought his family farm as well as the adjacent farm. He soon branched out and started a farm drainage business called Burckhart Construction. In the 80 s, Roger launched Rapid Drilling providing drilling services to the oil & gas industry which he operated for nearly a decade. Eventually, he went back to his true avocation, doing field drainage projects all over Wayne County. Roger did this work diligently for 61 years, working continuously up to just a few weeks before he passed away.
Roger was a leader in the farm tile drainage field and instituted many innovative concepts. He was proud to claim he was the oldest member of The Land Improvement Contractors Association of Ohio. He also served in the National Guard and as a Chester Township Trustee. Roger was an active member of the New Pittsburg and Oak Chapel United Methodist Churches for 68 years, and also served as a church trustee.
Roger was very active in his grandchildren s and great-grandchildren s school and athletic activities. Two of his favorite pastimes were eating at the Hard Hat Restaurant and going 4-wheeling with friends.
He is survived by his son Jeff (Shelia) Burckhart and daughter Julie (Jim) Matheson; granddaughters Shannan (Damon) Jones, Stephanie (Jeff) Long, Sabrina (Troy Counts) Bowles, Samantha, Sydney and Shelby Burckhart, Brittany (Alan) Parke and Destiny Boreman; great-grandchildren Brianna and Brandi Bowles and Lucas Mark; a brother Dale (Patsy) Burckhart; and his Aunt Faith Houston; many other cousins, nieces, nephews as well as close family friends Brandon Bowles and Karen Ringler.
Roger was preceded in death by his parents, step-father Cliff Feightner, his former wife and friend, Pat Young, and Rich Ringler, who he loved like a son.
Friends & family will be received at the Church of the Saviour, 480 Fry Road, Wooster on Saturday, December 19, 2020 from 10:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. Masks are required and social distancing will be observed.
Funeral services will be held immediately after the calling hours at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday at the Church with Pastor John Finn officiating. Burial will then follow in the Reedsburg Cemetery.
McIntire, Bradham & Sleek Funeral Home 216 E. Larwill St., Wooster is assisting the family.
Those who wish may make memorial contributions may do so to: The Oak Chapel United Methodist Church, 4203 W. Old Lincoln Way, Wooster, OH 44691.
Online condolences may be left for the family at www.mcintirebradhamsleek.com.
Memorial Contributions
Oak Chapel United Methodist Church, 4203 W. Old Libncoln Way, Wooster, OH 44691
Service
Saturday, December 19, 2020 at 1:00 p.m. at the Church of the Saviour
Visitation
Saturday December 19, 2020 from 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. at Church of the Saviour, 480 Fry Road, Wooster
So sorry for your loss. Roger will be missed.
So very very sorry for your loss and Roger will be greatly missed.
My heart goes out to all of his family.
Rest In Peace Roger until we meet again..
Love ❤️
Nice person to talk to.
Our deepest sympathies to Roger’s families. Our thoughts and prayers are with you—Roger was a friend to many and will be missed.
So very sorry for your loss . We valued his friendship
I am so saddened to hear of Rogers passing . He was a good neighbor and friend. I will miss seeing him on his tractor, his 4 wheeler, or burning in the woods.
You all are in our prayers. Our little community has lost a titan, and his loss will be felt be so many. Rest easy Roger, may peace find you.
Jeff and Julie, so sorry for your loss
We are very sorry for your loss,Our thoughts & prayers are with the family. Roger was like no other person we had ever met,He was so full of life,We loved riding rzr’s with him and listening to all of his stories and his accomplishmentsin life. He will definitely be missed by so many.
So very sorry to hear of your Dad’s passing Julie and Jeff. He stopped by to “shoot the breeze” (like him and my Dad used to say) in October. We are grateful now that Andy and I were home and Travis just pulled into the driveway from college for the weekend. Travis really loved talking with your Dad……. At least our Dad’s are in heaven together now, maybe even stirring up trouble like they used to do in high school and their early 20’s!!!! Keeping you both in our daily prayers.
The world will be a less animated place will Roger’s passing.
Erma Thomas who was Roger’s aunt and my mother always had us go to Ohio during the summer and some of my best memories are the ones with Roger and Dale. We learned to play croquet and swim in Muddy Folk and helped in farming work. Also I got the thrill of riding bareback behind Roger on his horse Sonny. He was a beloved cousin and we will miss him.
So very sorry for your loss of Roger. So many conversations and memories over the years, especially at Grandma’s. He would make us laugh but yet he had his serious side, and we always went away enjoying time spent with him. It’s still so hard to believe Roger not here. We would run into him out and about and he was just so larger then life. There’s comfort in knowing he is with Jesus and family gone before. I’ve been enjoying looking at all the pictures and memories of him. I just smiled at observing and incredible life well lived with so much Love. Praying for you Jeff, Julie, and family during this time. I can only imagine how difficult it must be. Love you all!
Dear Julie & Jim Matheson and Family. We are very sorry to hear of the loss of your father Julie. Please know that we are thinking of you all during this very difficult time.
Love, Pete & Marti
I second my brother Boyce’s comments. Roger always took good care of us when we visited. He showed me how to back a wagon of hay bales into the barn. I was 12 years old at the time. We valued helping with the harvest. I even got to ride his horse.
I second my brother Boyce’s comments about Roger. He welcomed us on our annual trips to the cousins. He let me back the wagon of hay bales into the barn. I was 12 years old at the time. He even let me ride his horse. He will be missed.
I’m so sadden to learn of Rogers passing.
I was his classmate (from Congress) after the consolidation of Congress, West Salem and Chester schools. He was so vibrant.
He had so many creative ideas and cared about people.
So very sorry for your loss, but it is a comfort to know that he is now reached his eternal home reunited with loved ones. When you meet again, the reunion will be eternal…
Our family sends our condolonces for your loss.We will keep your family in our prayers during this sad time.
many years ago Rogers family lived on next farm north of us on Elyria Road!! I would walk to visit Roger and Dale and they would run their Lionel train set for me!! As also Northwestern student along with Roger was life long friend!! In 1961 was delayed on flight to Hahn Air Base Germany a day so took bus to New York City to see sights Lo and behold on very crowded Times Square Saturday after noon ran into Roger!! He was stationed at Near by Ft Dix in Army up for week end trip Small World!!! RIP good friend!!
There are no words to describe the kind of heartbreaking loss this is. Roger was truly one of the modest, funniest, and most loyal people I knew. He loved his family and friends fiercely and was steadfast in his faith. My prayers are with your family and all those who love him.
Jeff, Julie and families, your Dad was a good neighbor. He was always willing to help. I remember your growing up years, Jeff and Julie. Good memories of your whole family! Thoughts and prayers are with your family with the loss of your Dad. God bless!
So sorry about the passing of Roger (was 3 months older than me)! We go back to National Guard days in 1961/62 – used to ride together to drills and shared a pup tent at summer camp. Went to his & Pat’s wedding at Congress Church, were in Farm Council together, I remember holding tiny baby Jeff, enjoying Julie as a student in Congress Jr. High, he did some “ditching” for us, etc.. Would run across each other once in a while! May his soul rest in peace!!
Our deepest sympathy for the loss of Roger he was a great customer and friend for many years and absolutely loved coming to OLICA events and socializing he will deeply be missed and was a true patriot and hard worker installing tile our love and prayers are with your family and the heavens above god bless may you Rest In Peace your spirit will live for eternity!
Dear Jeff and Julie and Family, We regret that we won’t be at the service and calling hours. Roger was a great and loyal friend. We so much enjoyed time spent with him. He was one of the first persons to come and visit me in 2012 when he found out I had a serious health problem. He had a good heart. He did things for people that other people never knew about.
We will miss him. Please know that you folks have our most deepest and sincere sympathy. Love, Alice and Ewing Giffin
May the Peace of the Lord be with Roger’s family. Roger was a great person and always gave beyond what was expected. He had great stories and always helped if anyone was in need. The world will be less vibrant without him here and we have lost a great craftsman!
To the family, I am so sorry for your loss. My mom Faith would also say some words of Encouragement to you if she could. Before Pearl passed she asked mom “Faith” to watch after Roger for her and she did that until she was no longer able. We will all miss Roger. Roger was the best at what he did in life. May the Lord bless you and comfort you during this difficult time. It is only because of what Jesus did for us on the cross that any of us can have hope. John 11:25-26
It is with great sadness to hear of Roger Burckhart’s passing. While growing up, I got to know Roger and his family Pat, Jeff, and Julie from Oak Chapel and 4H. A very nice family! Roger did many excavating projects for me over the years and he did an excellent job! He was the best! I will miss him, a lot.
Roger was very dedicated to his community and was one of the pioneers in drainage and tile industry. Roger always said he left a little piece of his heart in every tiling job. With all the artifacts he has donated to the Agriculture Museum his memory will live on for generations to come. He will be sadly missed.
Thoughts and prayers to you and your family. Thoughts of him and Kevin enjoying some crazy conversations right now. I will always remember the day he stopped by the house to say his goodbyes to Kevin. He will be missed.
So sorry for your loss. Roger was a great person and I always enjoyed our talks. My thoughts and prayers are with Roger and his family. God Bless!