Bruce William Burkett

Bruce William Burkett, 87, of DuBois, PA passed away on Monday, September 15, 2025, at Christ the King Manor surrounded by his loving family. Bruce was born on November 26, 1937, to the late Harry Beatrice and Helen Leota (Deschner) Burkett in Renovo, PA. Bruce graduated from DuBois Area High School with the class of 1955, where he played the trumpet and marched with the VFW Blue Jackets Drum and Bugle Corps.  He proudly served in the United States Navy from 1955 to 1961 as a 3rd class petty officer at Quonset Point, Rhode Island, where he worked in administration and communications. Bruce married Margaret “Peggy” Wilson on March 24, 1962, in Weedville, PA.

Bruce graduated from Roberts Wesleyan College in Rochester, New York, in 1962 with a Bachelor of Arts in Divinity. He then attended Western Evangelical Seminary in Portland, Oregon from 1962 to 1963, during which time he served as Assistant Pastor at the Free Methodist Church in Oregon City.  Reverend Bruce Burkett was a dedicated member of the Keystone Conference Free Methodist Church, serving at multiple parishes throughout Pennsylvania. The communities he served included Galeton, Port Allegheny,  Austin, Clarion, Pine City, Tuna Valley, State College, Marienville, Warren, Sheffield, Erie and DuBois.  He also served on the Ministerial Advisory Board for Roberts Wesleyan College for several years. Bruce faithfully ministered to the above communities for over 40 years until his retirement in 2002.  He then retired to his family farm in Sigel, PA where he enjoyed hunting, fishing, gardening, spending time with his daughters and grandchildren, hosting his friends and family at his farm, and traveling. Bruce and Peggy also enjoyed spending their winters in Naples, FL.

In addition to his wife, Bruce is survived by two daughters, Michelle Burkett, and Krista Burkett Glaser (Alan Glaser), five grandchildren, Keith Prouty (Erin Molloy), Jennie Prouty, Heather Yoder, Lisa Yoder, and Bradley Yoder. Bruce was preceded in death by his parents, H.B. and Helen Burkett, his brother, Ned Burkett, and his niece, Marcia Burkett.

Family and friends will be received on Friday, September 19, 2025, from 4 pm – 8 pm at the McKinney – d’Argy Funeral Home, 345 Main Street, Brookville, PA 15825.  A second viewing will be held on Saturday, September 20, 2025, from 10 am to 11am at the Christian Missionary Alliance Church, 59 Stone Rd., Brookville, PA, 15825.  A funeral service will take place immediately following the second viewing, starting at 11:00am.  Memorial contributions may be made in his name to Christ the King Manor Retirement Community (Attention: Jerry Paulinellie; 1100 W Long Ave, Dubois, PM, 15801). Online condolences and memorial information may be found by visiting www.dargyfh.com.

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