David L. Burkey

On December 17, 2023, David L. Burkey 82 from Mt. Pleasant went home to be with the Lord. He was born in Bern Township on October 9, 1941, and at age 2 he moved to Mt. Pleasant where he resided until his death. He was the son of the late Norman L. Burkey, killed during WWII and the late Anna Miller Burkey. He and his siblings were raised by their mother with much assistance from the extended family.

He graduated from Penn-Bernville High School in 1959. After a brief stint in college, he eventually found a career as a pattern maker. He worked for Hamburg Pattern Works for many years.

While working full time, he obtained several associate degrees from what is now Penn State Berks and spent many years as a volunteer with Mt. Pleasant Fire Company, including a stint as fire chief. As a young man he spent his vacations going to fire school in Lewistown, Pa. He was an active member of Bern Church where he was a lifetime member and served in many positions over the years.

In his later years, he was the driving force, assisted by his brother, in developing the Burkey family history. His latest accomplishment was to locate the original homesteads settled by his forebears from Switzerland.

David was a lifelong bachelor. He is survived by his sister Anne of Weatherly, Pa and brother Norman and sister-in-law Mary of Lancaster Pa. Other survivors include nieces Lynne Schickling (Gregg) and family of Ann Arbor, MI and Elaine Trofe (Chuck) and family of Glenmoore, PA.  Also, great nieces and nephews Laura Schickling, Michael Schickling, Grace Schickling, Matthew Schickling and Duncan Trofe. 

Services for David will be held on Saturday January 6, 2024, at Bern Reformed United Church of Christ, 3196 Bernville Road (Route 183), Leesport, Pa. 19533. The visitation will begin at 9:30 am with the service following at 11:00 am. Private family internment will be at Bern Cemetery.

Dave’s brother and sister would like to express gratitude for the skillful and sensitive care he received at the Reading Hospital.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in his memory can be made to Bern Reformed United Church of Christ.

The Kirkhoff Funeral Home in Bernville is entrusted with the funeral arrangements.

Online condolences may be made at www.kirkhofffuneralhome.com