Linda Carol Burkhalter went home to be with the Lord on Monday, October 26, 2020. Visitation will be held on Thursday, October 29, 2020, from 6:00 pm to 8:00 p.m. at the Bayview Fisher-Pou Chapel, 3351 Scenic Highway 90E, Pensacola, Florida 32503. A rosary prayer service will be held on Friday, October 30, 2020, at 12:30 pm at the St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church, 6451 Park Avenue, Milton, Florida 32570, followed by a viewing at 1:00 pm and funeral Mass at 2:00 pm. Interment will occur at 3:30 pm at the Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery, 1300 E. Hayes Street, Pensacola, Florida 32503, with a reception immediately following at the Bayview Fisher-Pou Chapel.
Born Linda Carol Byers on February 5, 1952, she was the ninth baby born to Luna and Estelle Byers of Warren, Michigan. As the youngest child and the only daughter, Linda was the delight of her brothers, the pride of her mother, and most certainly daddy’s little girl.
Linda was raised under the protection of her older brothers in a little house that smelled of chicken and dumplings and coconut and banana cream pies and where Christmas defined the year. As small as the home on Crystal Avenue was, it managed to house not only Linda and her brothers and beloved parents, but also cousins and, eventually, a baby grand piano that her parents bought for her when she was a little girl. While Linda always believed that she could never be as special to her parents as her big, older brothers, they likewise believed that she was the favorite, and the piano certainly seemed to illustrate that point. Regardless, Linda’s brothers adored her and she adored them, always sharing stories about how proud she was to be their little sister; too many stories that could ever be written here.
Linda attended Mott High School in Warren where she played basketball and sang in the choir. During her senior year, Linda traveled with the choir to England. She often talked about that trip, especially the group’s visit to Newby Bridge. She also spent much of her time there writing to the love of her life and fiancé, Larry Burkhalter. Each day, she would faithfully write him a letter and walk it down to the little English post office where the clerk would dutifully mark it to be airmailed to the States--never mentioning that the mail only went out from that station once a week!
Linda met Larry at the shoe store where they both worked. He made quite the impression on her parents when he showed up for their first date on a motorcycle, wearing a leather vest and no shirt. Later, he would also make quite an impression when he braved walking into the house under their scrutiny to see Linda to make up after a fight. That kind of tenacity eventually won their respect, and it would define Linda and Larry’s love for over 50 years.
The couple married on August 15, 1970, and they would go on to raise four children together, first settling in Lapeer, Michigan, and later moving to Pensacola, Florida. Linda’s world revolved around her children and then her grandchildren. She blessed them with her own chicken and dumplings and coconut cream pies. She kept her calendar according to how far away Christmas was. She made each of her children feel like the favorite.
Linda continued to enjoy music throughout her life, singing in the Sweet Adelines chorus with many special friends in Michigan and often participating in her church choir. She was an active member of the churches she attended throughout her life, and became a devout Catholic in her later years. All of these place and the people she met on the way became treasured parts of her life’s journey.
Linda was preceded in death by her parents; a sister, Viney Jane, who died in infancy; a brother, Roger, who died at age four; brothers, Bill, Jim, and Ronald; sisters-in-law Doris and Nancy; a nephew, Jimmy; and several cousins.
Those who are grateful for having been a part of her life include the following:
Linda’s husband of 50 years, Larry Burkhalter of Pace, Florida; daughter Carey (Al) Richardson of Canton, South Dakota; son Lawrence (Laura) Burkhalter of Fort Lauderdale, Florida; son William (Jared) Burkmaier of Peachtree City, Georgia; daughter Emily (William) Boatner of Pensacola, Florida; grandsons Zachary, Luke, Rylan, and Davin Richardson; grandsons Bradley, Nathaniel, and Evan Burkhalter; grandchildren Mina and William Jr. Boatner; brother Larry Byers of Fort Myers, Florida; brother John Byers of Almont, Michigan; brother David (Donna) Byers of Lake Jackson, Texas; sister-in-law Sara Byers of Logan, Ohio; many cousins; many cherished nieces and nephews; and many friends. She will be forever loved and missed.
Memorial contributions may be made in her memory, to www.priestsforlife.org or www.40daysforlife.com.
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