Fern L. Burkett-Starr
Fern L. Burkett-Starr, 90, of Charlotte, formerly of Bellevue, died January 30, 2023, in Lansing. She was born June 26, 1932, to Mark and Alta (Moore) Berry of Bellevue, Mich. She received her GED from Bellevue High School in 1972. Fern farmed most of her life raising feeder pigs. She also worked part-time at the dime store in Bellevue and the Gambles store in Charlotte. She volunteered at Hayes Green Beach Hospital for over 15 years.
Fern married Robert C. Burkett on September 3, 1949, and they were together for 52 years. She then married Gerald Starr on May 5, 2005, and they were together for 14 years.
Fern is survived by her children: Glen Burkett of Bellevue, Helen (Gary) Vedder of Charlotte, Kenneth (Debby) Burkett of Bellevue, David (Barbara) Burkett of Bellevue, Sally (David) Bivens of Bellevue, and Mary (Jeff) McKillop of Bellevue; her sister, Katherine Anderson of Battle Creek; her step-children: Dennis (Karen) Starr of Charlotte, Kathy (Jim) Pion of Olivet, Tim (Sherry) Starr of Charlotte, Mark (Cheryl) Starr of Charlotte, Karen Southward of Charlotte, Daniel (JoAnn) Starr of Adrian, Chris (Shelly) Starr of Charlotte, Mary (Doug) Campbell of Olivet, and Jimmy (Lisa) Starr of Eaton Rapids; 14 grandchildren, and 41 great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by Robert C. Burkett; Gerald J. Starr; siblings: James Berry, Frank (Stub) Berry, Frances Root, Helen Manning, Carol Ann Newberry, Evelyn Parker Glassner, Mable VanOrman; daughter-in-law, Elberta Burkett; grandson, Kevin Burkett; granddaughter, Angela Burkett; great-grandsons, Evan Burkett and Liam Abbott; and step-son-in-law, Tony Southward.
Visitation was Friday, February 3, 2023, from 4:00-7:00 p.m. at Kempf Family Funeral Home, located at 723 US HWY 27 North, Marshall, MI 49068. Visitation will also take place from noon to 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, February 4, 2023, with the funeral service at 1:00 p.m. Interment will follow at Hillside Cemetery in Kalamo Township.
In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the Bellevue Fireman’s Fund or the American Cancer Society.