William C Burkhart

William C. Burkhart, 90, passed away Thursday April 9, 2009 into the care of his Savior, our Lord, Jesus Christ. He was born October 1, 1918 in Howland Twp. the son of Carl W. and Clara (Riebe) Burkhart. He was educated in Warren Township Schools and devoted his entire career to the financial industry with all but five years in Trumbull County. He joined Trumbull Savings and Loan Company as a messenger in 1936, shortly after his graduation from high school. Five years later he left that organization as a teller to join the Examining Division of the Federal Home Loan Bank in Cincinnati. Bill served in the U.S. Army Air Corps from 1942 through 1945. He was stationed in Pecos, TX and was honorably discharged as a Staff Sergeant. In 1946 he returned to Warren to join First Federal Savings and Loan. He was named Assistant Treasurer in 1947, became Treasurer in 1953, was elected the Association's Executive Vice President and Chief Executive Officer in 1962, President in 1965, Chairman of the Board in 1975, and Director Emeritus in 1989, of which he still holds that position with First Place Bank. During this period, he also attended Youngstown State University and the Graduate School for Savings and Loan at Indiana State University. In addition to his increasing responsibilities with First Federal, he devoted time to many community and professional activities over the years. He was a member and past president of Youngstown Chapter #2 of the Institute of Financial Education, was a member of the Board of the Warren-Trumbull County Community Improvement Corp., and served on the Board of Trustees of Trumbull Memorial Hospital and its Foundation. He also was past president of the Warren Area Chamber of Commerce, a past member of the Board of the Trumbull County Community Chest Inc., past campaign chairman of the United Way of Trumbull County, and past board member of the Red Cross, the YMCA, Family Services, and Warren Kiwanis. In 1995 he was honored as "Man of the Year" when he won the Warren Junior Chamber of Commerce Civic Award. Bill was a former member of the Buckeye Club where he enjoyed relaxing and playing a good game of gin rummy with his friends. He and his wife were former members of the Trumbull Country Club where they both enjoyed playing a round of golf. He also enjoyed fishing at the lake or walleye fishing in Canada with his buddies. He was a long-time member of Emmanuel Lutheran Church where he served as president of the congregation. He is currently a member at St. Paul's Lutheran Church of Warren where he served on the financial committee for many years. He is survived by his loving wife of 67 years, June (Tricker) Burkhart whom he married October 17, 1942, 2 daughters Nancy (Michael) Clutter of Tucson, AZ, Karen Wilson of Cortland, 2 grandsons Timothy (Jennifer) Clutter of Austintown, Jon Clutter of Tucson, 1 great granddaughter Heidi Ann Clutter of Howland, and a brother Carl J.(Olga) Burkhart of Howland. Preceding him in death were his parents, a sister Mary Kroner, and a niece Susan Schaefers. Services will be 11:00 AM Tuesday April 14, 2009 at St. Paul's Lutheran Church with Pastor Thomas T. Baumgardner officiating. Friends will be received from 4-7 Monday at Roberts-Clark Chapel and for 1 hour prior to the service at the church. Entombment will be in Crown Hill Cemetery Mausoleum. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests material contributions be made to St. Paul's Lutheran Church 2860 East Market St. Warren, OH 44483 or to the American Cancer Society 525 North Broad St. Canfield, OH 44406.