Jimmy “JJ” Burkhart

BURKHART, KAUFFMAN, LEE, HESSELTINE, EVANS, GUSTAFSON

Posted By: Tara (email)
Date: 10/11/2012 at 14:26:02

Jimmy “JJ” Burkhart, 64, found peace Saturday, Oct. 6, 2012, following a valiant fight with cancer.

Jimmy was born May 27, 1948, in Niles, Mich., the son of Robert and Opal Kauffman Burkhart. He was a 1966 graduate of City High School. Following a 19 year engagement, he married Barb “Bubba” Lee on Dec. 24, 1996, in St. Petersburg, Fla.

Jimmy spent his entire career in the floor covering business. He owned and operated Burkhart Flooring for many years and in 2007, he and Todd Zeman established Hawkeye Carpet and Vinyl.

Jimmy had a great sense of humor and sarcasm. He was down to earth and easy going, but liked order in his life. Most important was his love of family, friends, and his dogs, Petey and Freddie Mae. He enjoyed his time at Plamor Lanes, Blackstone, golfing, gambling (especially his trips to Tunica), listening to the music of “Meatloaf” andwatching the Iowa Hawkeyes. Throughout his illness Jimmy was a true warrior.

Survivors his beloved wife and friend, Barb “Bubba;” his three children and seven grandchildren, Todd (Carmen) Hesseltine of Cedar Rapids and their son, Jackson, Jennie (Mark) Evans of Iowa City and their children, Andrew, Maeghan, Colin and Owen, and Casey (Nicki) Hesseltine of Rochester, and their children Mitchell and Kylie; his sister, Sandi (Rick) Gustafson of Clinton; his brother, Steve (Adrie) Burkhart of San Jose; in laws, Steve (Sandy) Lee of Solon; nieces and nephews, Daniel (Jamee), Amanda, (Dan), Addie (Pepe), Jesse, Scott(Becky) and Jennifer; his former spouse, Ruth Hesseltine of Iowa City; and many special friends.

He will be greatly missed by all.

Jimmy was preceded in death by his parents and his beloved dogs.