Burkhardt-Frank J., Age 87, of Darien Center, N.Y., passed away peacefully at his home on Saturday, July 9, 2022. Born in Lancaster, NY on May 1, 1935, he was the son of the late Michael and Catherine (Uebelhoer) Burkhardt, he was the beloved husband of Marie E. (nee Meyer) Burkhardt for 58 years. In addition to his wife, Frank is survived by his children, Gretchen (James) Reynolds of Corfu, NY, Heidi (Scott) Phillips of Simpsonville, SC., Eric (Kelly) Burkhardt of Chantilly, VA., his grandchildren Jessica and Theresa Reynolds, Valerie and Brandon Phillips and Olivia and Benjamin Burkhardt; brother of Dorothy (Ralph) Schaller; brother-in law of Paul (Dolores) Meyer and James (Lorraine) Meyer and numerous nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by three infant children; Eric Francis, Ann Marie and Frank Paul Burkhardt; an infant grandchild, Michael Reynolds, a sister Marilyn Kent; and a sister-in-law Annette (Don) Karl.

Frank graduated from Lancaster High School in 1954, where he was a member of the football team and completed training in industrial arts. Frank was employed by Dresser Rand until 1967. He also served in the Army Reserves from 1956 to 1962 and was called to serve for the Berlin Wall crisis in 1961. In 1965, Frank pursued his true passion, dairy farming. He successfully owned and operated his farm until semi-retiring in 1999. Following his retirement, he continued to oversee the fields and maintain the property.

Frank will always be remembered for his hard work and interest in American history. He enjoyed reading and watching historical documentaries, touring historic sites throughout the country and watching and attending college football games; he enjoyed sharing his knowledge of the Civil War by serving as a Civil War reenactor from 2006 to 2019 and participating in reenactments throughout the East Coast. He was a long time member of Our Lady of Good Counsel Church, where he served as an usher and he was a member of the American Legion.

Family will be present at the Charles Meyer Funeral Home 13228 Broadway Alden, NY Friday, July 15th., from 3-7 PM. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Our Lady of Good Counsel Church, Darien Center NY, on Saturday July 16th at 10:00 AM (Assemble at Church) Burial will be at Our Lady Help of Christians Cemetery, Cheektowaga, NY. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Our Lady of Good Counsel Church Darien Center, NY or American Battlefield Trust, Washington, DC.