Obituary of Doris Burkhead

Doris Luree Burkhead passed away June 12, 2021 in McMinnville, Oregon.  The last 70 years of life centered on her family and many friends.

Born in Stafford, Kansas in 1929 to Fred and Mildred Byer, Doris was joined by a brother, Glenn Byer.  After graduation of high school she attended Colorado Women’s College and Kansas State University, where she met Melvin Burkhead.  They married Oct. 24^th, 1948, after harvest in Beloit, Kansas.  Mel and Doris farmed and had their family of Eric, Jenni and Bruce.

In 1960, the family relocated to Independence, Kansas, where Mel was a credit reporter for Dunn & Bradstreet.  He serviced the eastern half of Kansas, Missouri and Oklahoma but they chose Independence to raise their family primarily because of Riverside Park and its many enhancements to the city. 

Doris was a member of First United Methodist Church and then later Bethel Church in Neodesha, Kansas.  She served tirelessly as a long time coordinator of bereavement dinners as well as a Women’s Circle member.  She also was a member of the Park Board and City Zoning committee.  She enjoyed working the voting duties during elections.  She and Mel were instrumental in founding Friends of the Library.  She was a member of Ladies Library and Art. A true homemaker, Doris was known for her domestic skills. Her historical lemon meringue pies for Lions Club fund raisers were legendary.    She and Mel were avid gardeners.  She was the force behind Mel’s many “retirement” jobs and together they continued working into their late 80’s.

Following the death of their son, Bruce, they moved to Oregon 2015 to be closer to Eric and Jenni. Mel continued to garden and Doris was a welcome companion in their golf cart in their retirement facility. 

 Their last travels in 2015 were to Buchart Gardens in Victoria, Canada where they were surrounded by the beauty of gardens.  Doris was preceded in death by her son, Bruce, husband, Melvin, of 70 years, and brother Glenn Byer of Wichita, Kansas.  She leaves Eric (Barbara) of Puyallup, WA; Jenni (Jim) of Amity, OR;  daughter-in law, Connie Burkhead of Neodesha and grandchildren – Fred, Stephen (Sarah), Bethany, Andrew, Cory and great-granddaughter, Rachel. 

Please join us for a celebration of their lives October 9, 2021 from 1-4 pm in the Lone Chief Cabin in Riverside Park.  Bring your memories to share.  Memorials can be made to Independence Lion’s Club, in support of Kiddy Land at Riverside Park.  Online condolences can be sent at:  www.CrownCremationBurial.com.