A funeral Mass for Deacon Bruce Allen Burkard was celebrated on March 16 at Sacred Heart Church in Florissant. Deacon Burkard died March 12. He was 66 years old.
Deacon Burkard was ordained in 2002 at the Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis by then-Archbishop Justin F. Rigali. He was then assigned to Sacred Heart Parish and assisted with Masses, baptisms, weddings, Communion Services and many other seasonal liturgical services. Deacon Burkard was also assigned to Emmaus House/Whispering Ridge Home where he assisted developmentally challenged individuals until 2019.
Deacon Burkard served his community in the fields of teaching, retail and banking. He was an educator for 35 years for the Archdiocese of St. Louis, an Eagle Scout of Troop 68, and member of the Knights of Columbus, Duchesne Council 2951. Deacon Burkard enjoyed traveling to Missouri State Parks and the National Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows in Belleville, Ill. He was a 25-year attendee of the White House Retreat.
He married Catherine Marie Caron in 1981 at Sacred Heart Church. Survivors include his wife, Catherine Marie Burkard; five children, Michelle Salzman, Carol Anderson, Theresa Starkey, Maureen Mallon and Joseph Burkard; five grandchildren; a brother, Gary Burkard, and sister, Diane Burkard.