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Emma (Weaver) (Hurst) Burkholder, 85, formerly of Ephrata, went home to be with her Lord and Savior peacefully, with her family by her side, on Tuesday, August 16, 2016, at Landis Homes Retirement Community, Lititz.

She was born in Earl Township to the late Aaron and Emma (Weaver) Weaver and was the wife of Melvin W. Burkholder for 37 years. She was preceded in death by her first husband, Paul H. Hurst in October of 1971.

She was a member of Bethany Grace Fellowship, East Earl.

Emma was a self employed seamstress for many years and owned Hurst Custom Draperies. She enjoyed sewing clothing for her children and grandchildren.

In addition to her husband, Emma is survived by a son, Bob, husband of Debra (Hoover) Hurst of Ephrata; 3 daughters, JoAnne (Hurst), wife of Keith Weaver of Reinholds, Cheryl (Hurst), wife of Barry Wissler of Ephrata, Sandra (Hurst), wife of Barry Martin of Ephrata; 4 stepdaughters, Glenda (Burkholder), wife of Randy Witmer of Lititz, Joyce (Burkholder), wife of Jay Weaver of Lancaster, Gail Burkholder of Ephrata, Sharon (Burkholder), wife of Kevin Adams of Lancaster; 12 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; 9 step-grandchildren; 5 step-great-grandchildren; 3 foster great-grandchildren; 4 brothers, Irvin, husband of Esther (Eberly) Weaver of Stevens, Melvin, husband of Anna (Hackert) Weaver of Denver, Aaron Weaver of Ephrata, George, husband of Evelyn (Weber) Weaver of Reinholds and a sister, Anna Mary, wife of Paul B. Hurst of Ephrata.


In addition to her parents and first husband, she was preceded in death by a brother, Ivan Weaver, 3 sisters, Edna Weaver, Verna Horning, Edith Weaver; a step son-in-law, Bob Witmer; a step grandson, Mitchell Witmer and a step great-grandson, Eli Eisenhour.

A viewing will be held on Saturday, August 20, 2016, from 6 to 8 PM, at Bethany Grace Fellowship, 400 Reading Rd, East Earl, PA 17519. A graveside service will be held on Sunday, August 21, 2016, at 2 PM, at Hinkletown Mennonite Cemetery, followed by a memorial service at 3 PM, at Bethany Grace Fellowship, with Pastor Adams officiating.

The family would like to thank the staff at Landis Homes and Hospice and Community Care for their gentle, loving care and support for Emma.

Memorial contributions in Emma's memory may be made to Landis Homes Retirement Community Caring Fund, 1001 E. Oregon Road Lititz, PA 17543, or Hospice & Community Care-Mount Joy, 685 Good Drive, Lancaster, 17601.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Emma (Hurst) Burkholder (Weaver), please visit our Heartfelt Sympathies Store.