Iva Jean Yates Burkhart

  Iva Jean Yates was born in Midland, Pennsylvania to Donald and Lena Ruth (Autrey) Yates. She remained in the midwest. She married Donald Clinton Burkhart on October 2, 1944. They were married for 61 years.
   Don and Jean moved to West Palm Beach, Florida and following World War ll, on to Fort Lauderdale, Florida. It was there that they welcomed their three children and built a life together. They resided in Fort Lauderdale for fifty-six years.
  Jean worked a variety of job positions. However, she was most proud of her career as the Probate Mental Health Clerk for the Broward County Court System. She retired in 1984. Following retirement, Don and Jean moved to the Sanctuary at St. Paul’s in South Bend, Indiana, where they enjoyed several happy years - traveling, going on cruises, visiting children and grandchildren. Jean lived at St. Paul’s for seventeen years. While there, Jean was active in many of the programs and outreach to that community. She participated in the Prayer Shawl Ministry, the Bell Choir, Art and Craft Show, and visiting folks in long term care. Jean became an unofficial spokesperson for St. Paul’s, as she was interviewed several times for the local paper and even participated in a television commercial!
   Jean was talented and in her own words, “…she enjoyed anything to do with a needle and thread”. She made all of her own clothes, her daughter’s clothes when they were young, created and stitched quilts for her children, four grandsons and many other family members. She also enjoyed knitting and crocheting. Jean was an accomplished photographer, made her own greeting cards (on the computer, when she was well into her 80’s!) Jean also crafted and made her own jewelry. She had a gift for giving to others, sewing baby tee shirts for indigent children or children born with AIDS; knitting baby hats for hospitalized children. She was a lifelong Presbyterian, and served as an elder for many years. She was a member of First Presbyterian Church, South Bend.
   Jean was predeceased by her parents, husband, Don, sister, Mary Lena Yates Mellor, daughter-in-law Gabriele Burkhart and son-in-law, Rev. David S. Morrow. She is survived by daughters, Janet Morrow, Holland, Michigan, Alice (Mike) Cowgill, Fayette, Ohio and son, David(Gioia) Burkhart, Murnau, Germany; four grandsons, Joe(Jessica) Carnall, Brian(Kathryn)Morrow, Chris (Julie) Morrow and Casey(Maria) Carnall; eight great-grandsons and one great-granddaughter.
   There will be a family gathering to be determined where Happy Hour will be celebrated, as Jean loved having her family together for that special time. The family is in the care of Palmer Funeral Home - Guisinger Chapel.
   In lieu of flowers, please donate your time to your favorite charity, as Jean was all about giving to others. The family wishes to thank the staff at the Sanctuary of St. Paul for their friendship and loving care; the staff at the Golden Living Center and Heart to Heart Hospice for their kind and patient care.

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