Shelby J. Burkett

Shelby J. Burkett, 62, of Elkhart, passed away Friday May 6, 2016 at ManorCare Health Services in Indianapolis, with her husband by her side.
She was born Feb. 6, 1954 in Goshen, Indiana to James Lester and Bertha Jean (Shoemaker) Breniser. She married David Burkett on January 26, 1974 in Goshen, IN.

She is survived by her husband of Elkhart; 2 daughters: Abby (Eric) Howell of Bristol, IN and Susanna (Brian Raval) Burkett of South Bend, IN; 5 (almost 6) Grandchildren; her father, James L. Breniser of Goshen, IN; 3 sisters: Susan (Mike) Myers of Beaver Island, MI, Lizette Myers of Nappannee, IN and Kim Breniser of Goshen, IN; 2 brothers: James Breniser of Niles, MI and Tim (Joyce) Breniser of Florida. Also surviving are her father- and mother-in-law, Richard and Betty Brown of Elkhart, IN.
She was preceded in death by her mother, Bertha Jean Breniser.
Shelby graduated from Concord High School in 1972, where she was a member of the Color Guard. She was a Home Health Aide who was personally connected to all of her patients. She was a lifelong member of area churches, most recently attending Bristol Missionary Church. She was very involved in children’s ministries and was a clown and puppeteer. Shelby was born to be a grandmother and she loved her grandchildren dearly.

Visitation will be on Thursday May 12 from 2-4 and 6-8 P.M. at Stemm-Lawson-Peterson Funeral Home, where services will be held at 10 A.M. Friday. Pastor Terry Powell with Bristol Missionary Church will officiate. Burial will be in Oakridge Cemetery in Bristol.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to:
Indiana Blood and Marrow Transplantation
8111 S. Emerson Ave., Suite 207,
Indianapolis, IN 46237
Online condolences may be directed to the funeral home website.