Phyllis Burkart

Burkart

Phyllis Mae Burkart, 85, of Columbus, Ohio, passed away on June 29, 2018. Phyllis was born on Christmas Day, 1932 to Russel C. and Mildred M. (Stein) Bickel. She was preceded in death by her husband of 24 years, Robert J. Burkart with whom she married on Valentine’s Day in 1960. She attended Bowling Green State University. Phyllis worked as a recreational and physical therapist in the polio ward at University Children’s Hospital, rehabilitating children diagnosed with polio.

As a child, Phyllis was a talented dancer and member of the “Beckerettes” at Miss Becker’s Dance Studio in Columbus. One of many proud moments of Phyllis’s life was serving on the Junior Fair Board of the Ohio State Fair where she substantially contributed to the youth hobby exhibits.  Further, Phyllis was an avid quilt curator who belonged to the American Quilter’s Society, the National Quilting Association, the Art Quilt Alliance, and the Ohio Arts & Crafts Guild. She was well known for her outstanding creativity and meticulous presentation of quilt displays across Ohio. Phyllis served in the United States Army Reserves during the Korean War, attaining the rank of Sergeant First Class.

Phyllis is survived by her daughter, Emily E. Burkart; son, Paul R. (Kathleen) Burkart; five grandchildren, Robert S. Sankovich, Ellen Mae (LT Rob) Roy, Anna K. Sankovich, Faith A. Burkart, and Hope Mae Burkart; and great-grandson Robert H. Roy III. .The family held a private ceremony in her honor, on Monday, July 2, 2018.