Submitted by: Dan Rich

Erma D. Burkus

April 1, 1919 - Oct. 31, 2001

South Bend Tribune 11/1/2002

Erma D. Burkus, 82, residing at Hamilton Communities, New Carlisle, formerly of South Bend, passed away at 8:51 a.m. Wednesday, October 31, 2001, in Saint Joseph Regional Medical Center, where she had been admitted on Tuesday evening. Mrs. Burkus was born April 1, 1919, in Marshall County, IN, as the daughter of Gilbert H. and Pearl May (Krouse) Wallace, and had lived in this community most of her life. She was employed part-time for 19 years with Sears, Roebuck & Company.

On June 27, 1937, in Argos, Indiana, as Erma Wallace, she married Paul F. Burkus, Jr. They enjoyed nearly 63 years together until his passing on May 31, 2000. She is survived by two daughters and their husbands, Patricia & Thomas Hosey of Three Rivers, Michigan, and Bonnie Jo & Harold Love of Fort Wayne, IN. Also surviving are two grandchildren, Carmen Sue Romack and Charles DePaul Hammons; two great-grandchildren, Alesha Hammons and Jacob Jeffrey Romack; and a sister, Mildred Claybaugh of Plymouth, IN. Mrs. Burkus was a member of Sumption Prairie United Methodist Church, Ladies Auxiliary of Avalon Grotto, Bowlers Country Club and former member of Order of Eastern Star.

Services for Erma D. Burkus will be at 11:30 a.m. Saturday, November 3, in Sumption Prairie United Methodist Church, 24535 Roosevelt Road. Rev. Charles Ternet, pastor, will officiate. Burial will follow at Sumption Prairie Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Friday in the Palmer Funeral Home, 2528 Mishawaka Ave., South Bend, and one hour prior to services on Saturday in the church.