Thomas A. Burkard

Thomas A. Burkard, age 80, of Swanton, Ohio, entered into eternal life, Saturday morning, December 28, 2013, at his home with his loving wife, Clarise and family by his bedside. Thomas was born April 25, 1933 in Toledo, Ohio to John W. and Eva (Walerius) Burkard. He and his wife, Clarise were united in marriage on June 9, 1956 at St. Clement’s Church in Toledo, Ohio. Together they raised 5 children.

Thomas was a United States Navy Korean War Veteran and member of Swanton American Legion Post #479. He worked in the warehouse and was a truck driver for Seaway Food Town for 31 years, retiring in 1994. Thomas was a member of St. Richard Catholic Parish and member of the Knights of Columbus Sacred Heart Council. He will be remembered as a person who was willing to help anyone at anytime.

He will be greatly missed by his beloved wife of 57 years, Clarise; sons, Thomas D. Burkard (Nancy Addington) and Joseph (Dorothy) Burkard; daughters, Ann (John) Dollman, Charlene Blankenship (Dwayne), and Jean (Ron) Gillen; 12 grandchildren, Nicholas (Rebeca), McCalla, Amanda, Andrew, Jacob, Lucas, Frederick, Riley, Sarah, Cole, Garrett, and Mitchell; 2 great-grandsons, Preston and Joshua; as well as his sister, Margaret (David) Rowlinson; sisters-in-law, Kathy Burkard, Jo Ann Burkard and Joann Burkard; and several nieces and nephews.

Thomas was preceded in death by his parents; infant son, John Burkard; and siblings Barbara Wrzesinski, Eva Wurtz, Marietta Rupp, John Burkard, James Burkard and Robert Burkard.

Visitation will be held Friday, January 3, 2014 from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at St. Richard Catholic Church, 333 Brookside Drive in Swanton, where a Mass of Resurrection will begin at 11:00 a.m. with Father Douglas Garrand presiding and Deacon Jerry Ziemkiewicz assisting. Interment, with Military Rites, will follow at St. Richards Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to the family of Thomas Burkard.

Residence: Swanton, Ohio

Visitation: Friday, January 3, 2014 from 10 am to 11 am at St. Richard Catholic Church

Mass of Resurrection: Friday, January 3rd at 11:00 am in the Church

Interment: St. Richard's Cemetery