Dec 13, 2021

Joanne C. Burkus, 79, of Millsboro died Friday, December 10, 2021, at her home after a brief illness.

She was born November 23, 1942, in Brownsville, a daughter of the late Joseph F. and Anne Louise Kramar Filchock.

She grew up in Hiller and spent most of her life in East Bethlehem Township.

A graduate of Brownsville High School, California State Teachers College and a life-long learner, Joanne served her community as an elementary school teacher until her retirement from Bethlehem-Center School District in 2002.

For the past 15 years, she was the owner/operator of the Frank Burkus Funeral Home.

Joanne was an extremely kind and generous person with unwavering faith. She was dedicated to her family including her late husband, parents and in-laws, her children, her grandchildren, who she raised and shared her home, her great-grand daughter and her extended family, often putting her family’s needs before her own.

She “never met a stranger” and had a way of connecting with people instantly and deeply and in doing so left a lasting impression on countless friends throughout her life. She will be fondly remembered and greatly missed by her family, friends and the community.

Surviving are her son, Frank Steven Burkus II (Wendy) of Cumming, Georgia; four granddaughters, Rachel Berthold (Ryan) of Bridgeport, Ohio, Anna Berthold of Millsboro, Sophie Burkus and Violet Burkus, both of Cumming, Ga.; a great-granddaughter, Harper Donahue of Bridgeport, Ohio; a brother, Joseph Filchock (Lena) of Mentor, Ohio

Preceding her in death were her parents; her husband Frank Burkus, who died June 10, 2006; her daughter Sherri Ann Burkus Berthold, who died December 6, 1991; a brother, Richard Filchock, who died November 23, 2012.

Friends are welcome from 1 to 3 and 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at the Thompson-Marodi Funeral Home, Inc., 809 Main Street, Bentleyville, 724-239-2255, where a prayer service will be held at 9:45 a.m., Wednesday, December 15, 2021 followed at 10:30 a.m. by a Mass of Christian Burial at Saint Katharine Drexel, Richeyville Mission Church, 2 Church Street, Richeyville, with the Reverend Francis Frazer, as celebrant.

At the church, non-vaccinated individuals are required to wear masks or facial coverings and social distancing is to be maintained.

A procession will follow to Westland Cemetery, Centerville Borough for the Rite of Committal service.

In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully requests your consideration of memorials to American Cancer Society, 320 Bilmar Drive, Pittsburgh, PA 15205 or http://www.cancer.org

Visit www.thompson-marodi.com to share memories and condolences with the family.