John Frederick Burkhart, 28

REHOBOTH BEACH - John Frederick Burkhart, died on Saturday, Dec. 20, 2008, in Lewes, of complications of pneumonia. He was 28. He is survived by his parents and one brother. His parents, Kay and Michael Burkhart, live in Rehoboth Beach. His father is a physician and his mother is a real estate agent. His brother, Jeff Burkhart, is a lawyer in Walla Walla, Wa. John was a cheerful individual who could always be counted on to share a smile and a good meal. Among his favorite things were sports, steam locomotives, and buffets. John traveled extensively during his life, including trips to Disneyworld, Calif. and West Virginia. In 2000, he joined his parents and brother for a fly-in fishing excursion to Ontario. In recent years, John became a big fan of Navy football, and an even bigger fan of tailgating. One of his proudest moments was felling a large deer with a single beautifully-placed shot. John loved to sing and he was an active member of Lewes Presbyterian Church. John departed this Earthly realm much too early, but we are comforted to know that John lived life to the fullest and he spread love and light to everyone he encountered. Funeral Services will be 3 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 23 at Parsell Funeral Homes & Crematorium, Atkins-Lodge Chapel, 16961 Kings Highway, Lewes, where friends may call beginning at 1 p.m. Burial will be in Rosedale Cemetery, Martinsburg, W.V. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions be made to the Tuberous Sclerosis Alliance, 801 Roeder Road, Suite 750, Silver Spring, MD 20910 (www.tsalliance.org); or to Special Olympics Delaware, 546 S. Bedford Street, Rm. 2125, Georgetown, DE 19947. An online tribute site has been started at http://johnburkhart.remembered-forever.org/.