Jerry Lee Burkhammer, 83, of the Smith Run Community in Weston, West Virginia passed away peacefully on Monday, November 9, 2020 following a brief illness. He was born January 21, 1937 in Weston to the late Boyd “Red” Burkhammer and Ruth (Turner) Burkhammer.
He married his wife of 63 years, Annabelle “Ann” (Ratliff) Burkhammer on February 22, 1957 at the Brownsville Methodist Church. Besides his wife, he is survived by his two children, Jill L. Shaffer (Mark) of Parkersburg and Jerry L. Burkhammer, II, of Glenville; his most precious grandsons, Andrew Cory Shaffer (Kate), Zachary Adam Burkhammer, Adam Keith Shaffer and Ethan Ward Burkhammer; his most recent bundles of continuous joy, his three great-grandchildren, Adaline Lacy Shaffer, Shyann Elizabeth Burkhammer and Henry Mark Gerald Shaffer.
Jerry is also survived by one sister, Judith F. Meffert (Roland), two nephews, R.W. Meffert (Mary Elizabeth) and Ryan Wesley Meffert; one niece, Renee W. Hardcastle (Mark); three brother-in-laws, three sister-in-laws, special family members, Chris, Cheryl and Carla Turner and their children, and several others nieces and nephews.
Jerry graduated Weston High School in 1954, where he played football for the Minutemen. While in high school, Jerry joined the National Guard at the age of 16 and served for 9 years. After graduating, Jerry chose to forego a scholarship to the Art Institute of Pittsburgh to continue serving his country. Jerry was a member of the Weston Jaycees and was very involved in youth athletics. He coached Little League Baseball and Basketball for many years. Jerry was elected to the Lewis County Board of Education in 1973 and served 6 years.
Jerry retired from Equitable Gas in 1999 after 38 years of service. In his retirement, he enjoyed golfing, fishing, hunting, bowling and woodworking, all of which he enjoyed even more with his children and grandchildren by his side. While Jerry has always had a proclivity for socializing, he thoroughly enjoyed his time these last few years with everyone at Giovanni’s. He will be dearly missed by his family, friends and all who were fortunate enough to know him.
Due to the risks associated with COVID-19, a private viewing and service will be held for the family and officiated by Pastor Bryan Groves at Hardman Family Funeral Home on Saturday, November 14, 2020 at 11:00 a.m. The gravesite rites immediately following the service will be held at Peterson Cemetery in Weston at 12:30 p.m. and will be open to all who wish to meet the family at the cemetery to pay their respects. Online condolences and life stories in memory of Jerry may be expressed at hardmanfamilyfuneralhome.com.
Hardman Family Funeral Home of Weston, WV considers it an honor and privilege to serve the family of Jerry Lee Burkhammer.