Arlene Burkert Obituary
Arlene Mable (Mest) Burkert, 96, went to be with our heavenly Father on Saturday, September 21, 2024, peacefully in her home, surrounded by her family. She was the widow of Benneville S. Burkert, whom she married on August 2, 1948, and who died on July 23, 2010. Born in Kutztown, Arlene was a daughter of the late Rufus D. and Emma M. (Seidel) Mest and was a 1945 graduate of Kutztown Area High School. Arlene was employed as a utility and telephone operator by AT&T / Lucent Technologies for 27 years, retiring in 1986. Most recently, Mrs. Burkert was employed by the Fleetwood Area School District, working in both the Andrew Maier and Willow Creek Elementary School Libraries for over 23 years until retiring in 2023. Arlene was a faithful member of Maidencreek Church, Blandon, where she sang in the church choir for over 50 years and played her violin occasionally for special worship services. She had a deep appreciation for music and was a member of the former Kutztown Orchestra. Arlene was also a member of Reading Works Pioneers and Telephone Pioneer #98. Arlene enjoyed cultivating her flower beds, the challenge of her crossword puzzles and her morning walks with "the girls". Above all, Arlene's life was being surrounded by her family, especially when everyone was together at one time. She will be truly missed by her family and friends. Arlene is survived by her two sons, Barry L., husband of Lori S. (Focht) Burkert, Fleetwood, and Eric R., husband of Tracy A. (Mengel) Burkert, Fleetwood; four grandchildren, Resica Cecil (Scott), Lexington, NC, Wendy Neuheimer, Raleigh, NC, Amy Schut (Alex), Villa Park, IL, and Jarrad Burkert (Sara), Stumpy Point, NC; and nine great- grandchildren, Lauren and Teagan Cecil, Eden, Ava and Tristan Neuheimer, Marabelle, Levi and Ruth Burkert, and Elliot Bellis. She is also survived by her three siblings, June E. (Mest) Kemmerer, Temple, Christine M. (Mest) Border, Kutztown, and Ryly J. Mest, Kutztown. Along with her husband and parents, Arlene was predeceased by her daughter, Benita L. (Burkert) Boyer; and siblings, Ruth (Mest) Rohrbach, Nancy (Mest) Albrecht, Lina (Mest) Hill, Marie (Mest) Sanders, and Carl Mest. A funeral service to celebrate and honor Arlene's life will be held on Friday, September 27, 2024 at 11:30 a.m. in Ludwick Funeral Homes and Cremation Care, Inc., 333 Greenwich Street, Kutztown, PA with The Reverend Bruce Schoup officiating. Relatives and friends are invited to a viewing from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. in the funeral home. Interment will be held on Saturday, September 28, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. in Forest Hills Memorial Park, 390 W Neversink Road, Reading. A procession will form at 9:00 a.m. and leave promptly at 9:15 a.m. at the funeral home. The family requests contributions be made in Arlene's memory to Maidencreek Church, 261 Main Street, Blandon, PA 19510. Ludwick Funeral Homes and Cremation Care, Inc., Kutztown, PA, is in charge of arrangements. Memories and condolences may be shared at www.Ludwickfh.com.
