John Edward Burkhardt

John Edward Burkhardt, age 56, of Panama City Beach, FL, formerly of Casey, IL, passed away unexpectedly, Saturday, April 10, 2021 at his home. John was born June 1, 1964, in Hillsdale, Michigan, the son of John Arthur Burkhardt and Catherine Lee Carter.

He is survived by his mother, Catherine “Cathy” Burkhardt, several extended family members and many friends. He was preceded in death by his father, John Arthur Burkhardt.

John was a 1982 graduate of Casey High School, and a 1986 graduate of Eastern Illinois University, receiving his first degree in Marketing. He worked in St. Louis, MO briefly after graduating college and then returned to Casey and resumed working with the United Construction Company of Casey, IL. He worked side by side with his father for many years, learning his trade and small equipment skills. After the business sold, John returned to school and received his second degree in Finance from Indiana State University. He began his new career in 2009 as a defense contractor, originally with Crane Naval Base in Southern Indiana, and then in 2016 John relocated to Panama City Beach Fl, where he worked for the US Department of Defense/ US Navy as a defense contract specialist, achieving a ranking of GS-12.

John was a connoisseur of music, freaky food, people and life in general. He enjoyed the company of his mother, and friends, movies, travelling, his visits from his neighborhood heron “Fred”, sharing photos of the Florida sunset, and developed an interest in watching college and professional sports. Everyone will miss his unique sense of humor, his short-and-to-the-point phone calls and visits, including all his family and friends in IN, MI, IL, MO, his co-workers and new friends in FL.

Memorial donations may be made to the donor’s choice.

Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. on Saturday, April 24th, 2021, at Markwell Funeral Home, 200 N. Central Ave., Casey, IL 62420. Inurnment will be conducted at a later date. (Per CDC guidelines, 50 attendees are allowed inside our facility at a time. Attendees should stay at least 6 feet apart and wear a cloth face covering.)

To view the full obituary, send a condolence message, light a candle or post photos, visit www.markwellfuneralhome.com. Markwell Funeral Home of Casey, IL is in charge of the arrangements.

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