Elred E. Burkhart, 87, of Hutchinson, formerly of Kinsley, died Sept. 8, 2011, at his home in Hutchinson.

He was born Jan. 18, 1924, at Kinsley, the son of Isadore and Mary Oster Burkhart.

He attended school at Saints Peter and Paul Grade School and graduated from Kinsley High School in 1942. Elred was a retired Registered Grade A dairyman and farmer in Kinsley. He was a member of the Church of The Holy Cross in Hutchinson and a member of the Saint Edwards Council #2131 Knights of Columbus, and a 4th Degree Knights of Columbus. Elred was a former choir member for Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church and St. Nicholas Catholic Church at Kinsley. He was a member of the Associated Milk Producers Association, a former president and member of the Kinsley USD #347 Board of Education, a former member of the Edwards County Fair Board and Edwards County Extension Council, a lifetime member of the Holstein Friesian Association of America, a former Vigortone Feed dealer, was a member of the Dairy Shrine Club, and was appointed to the Kansas State Dairy Board by then Governor John Carlin.

Elred married Esther Durler on Aug. 21, 1945, in Spearville, Kan. She survives.

Other survivors include: seven sons, Kenneth Burkhart (Lilly) of Wichita, Robert Burkhart (Sheryl) of Hutchinson, Ronald Burkhart (Rhonda) of Kinsley, James Burkhart (Marilyn) of Goddard, Donald Burkhart (Julie) of Overland Park, Gerald Burkhart (Judye) of Oklahoma City, and Thomas Burkhart (Suzie) of Mulvane; two daughters, Mary Lou Schneider of Topeka, and Janel Burr (Douglas) of Kinsley; a brother, Isadore Burkhart of Denver; a sister, Monica Reilley of Garden City; 28 grandchildren and 26 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by two brothers, Leon Burkhart and Paul Burkhart; and by two sisters, Celesta Burkhart and Gertrude Shobe.

Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Monday, Sept. 12, 2011, at the Church of The Holy Cross in Hutchinson, with Father Joe Eckberg presiding. A visitation will be from 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday and 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday, with a parish rosary being recited at 7 p.m. Sunday with the family greeting friends following, all at Elliott Mortuary, Hutchinson. A committal service will be held at 2:30 p.m. Monday at Saints Peter and Paul Cemetery at Kinsley.

Memorial contributions may be made to Saints Peter and Paul Cemetery Association or Church of the Holy Cross, sent in care of Elliott Mortuary, 1219 N. Main, Hutchinson, KS 67501.

Visit www.elliottmortuary.com to leave a condolence for Elred's family.