Services for George Van Burkhart, 92, of Marietta, Okla., will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday, December 14, 2010, in Marietta's First Baptist Church with Rev. Tommy Higle officiating. Interment with military honors in the Eastman Cemetery will be under the direction of Flanagan-Watts Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Marietta.

Mr. Burkhart was born February 17, 1918, at Bomar, Okla., the son of Love County pioneers, E.I. and Ellie Gordon Burkhart. He passed away Friday, December 10, at his residence.

Mr. Burkhart married the former Anna Lee Sanders at Bomar on December 3, 1939. He served with the Navy Seabees in Guam during World War II, and then in 1948 the couple moved to west Texas to make their home, returning to Love County in 1976. Mr. Burkhart was an operator for Shell Oil Company Refinery and retired after 26 years. During his employment with Shell they lived in Odessa, Texas and Chillicothe, Texas. He was a member of the American Legion and VFW, Past Commander of McGee Henry American Legion Post #302 in Chillicothe, Past Master of the Chillicothe Masonic Lodge #876, Charter Member of the Scottish Rite Consistory in Lubbock, Texas, Nobel of the Mystic Shrine, Maskat Temple in Wichita Falls, Texas, and an Honorary Member of Khiva Shrine Temple in Amarillo, Texas. Since his retirement and returning to Love County, Mr. Burkhart has enjoyed being a farmer, rancher and carpenter and being involved in the community. He served six years on the Big Five Board, also on the Love County Election Board, and in his later years serviced many Love County residents by doing yard maintenance. As recognition of their service to the community, George and Anna Lee were honored as the 1992 Love County Frontier Days Pioneer King and Queen. Mr. Burkhart joined the Baptist Church at an early age, and at present was a member of Marietta's First Baptist Church where he was lovingly called Old Man Burkhart by Pastor Tommy. He was also affectionately known as Grandpa by friends of Jeff, Kim and Lisa. Mr. Burkhart is of Cherokee Indian ancestry.

Preceding him in death were two daughters, Karen Jean in 1949, and Elizabeth Ann in 2007; parents; and all of his brothers and sisters.

He is survived by his wife, Anna Lee Burkhart of the home; three sons and daughters-in-law, Gary V. and Paulette Burkhart of Marietta, John and Susan Burkhart of Kemp, Texas and Rick Burkhart, also of Marietta; daughter, Vanda Harvey of Allen, Texas; adopted daughter, Sue Berry, also of Allen; eight grandchildren, Jeff Harvey, Kim Short, Lisa Gipson, Gina Cowen, G.V. Burkhart, Jr., Christy Coker, Merrick Burkhart and Jane Burkhart; 21 great-grandchildren and a great-great-grandchild.

Serving as bearers will be Jeff Harvey, Dewayne Gipson, Terry Cooke, Merrick Burkhart, G.V. Burkhart, Jr. and Noah Evans. Honorary bearers are Bob Burkhart, John Burkhart, Riley Burkhart, Jesse Kirk, Vonder Burkhart, Shelton Burkhart, Milas Alagood, Rex White and Harold White.