Kay LaVonne (Kaiser) Burkett, 86

brother Donald R. Kaiser, and her husband, William J. Burkett.

Kay is lovingly remembered by sons Jeff of Bowling Green, and David (Amy) Burkett of Massillon; grandsons Trevor (Ali) Burkett of Canton & Brock (Jason Davis) Burkett of Maumee; a 17-month-old great granddaughter, Joanna Mae Burkett; and 6 nieces & 3 nephews.

Kay was born at St. Elizabeth Catholic Hospital in Youngstown, Ohio on November 22, 1936. She grew up near New Middletown, OH and graduated from Mahoning County’s Springfield Local High School in 1952. Kay attended Ashland College where she met her husband Bill and graduated in 1958 with a degree in home economics education.  She taught home economics in West Holmes Local Schools, Tuslaw Local Schools, and Dalton Local Schools. She served as a Future Homemakers of America advisor and took her students to many state and national conferences.

After teaching, Kay served as a secretary at Epworth United Methodist Church, a salesclerk at O’Neil’s department store, and summer head cook at Camp Luther for 3 years as well as retreat cook for 15 years. Besides these jobs, she enjoyed many other roles throughout her life: wife, mother, sister, aunt, niece, grandmother, great grandmother, pinochle player, Holy Trinity Lutheran Church member, world traveler, Tuslaw Lion’s Club member, Massillon YMCA volunteer, antique collector, and of course – a loyal Pittsburgh Steelers and Cleveland Guardians fan.

If you knew Kay, the legacy of her sense of adventure, attention to details & organization, and love of family are compelling qualities for those who would do her life justice.

Visitation with family members will take place Monday, June 5, 2023 from 3:00 to 4:00 pm at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 4275 Lincoln Way NW, Massillon, OH 44647 immediately followed by a 4:00 pm service of memorial with the Rev. Jeff Goggins & Rev. Bill Diehm presiding. A light dinner will be provided after the service.