Darey Burkhalter

It is with a heavy heart that we send along the news that Darey Burkhalter passed away at 11:15 AM today, Friday, September 8th. Our hearts & prayer go out to Carol and their sons who are traveling here.

A service is planned for Tuesday, September 12th, at 5:00 p.m. at First Christian Church. This page will updated with new information as it is received.

We had previously started a prayer vigil and list of prayers/messages for Darey's family -- that information remains below. If anyone would like to have a message of condolence posted here, please E-mail campbell232@comcast.net, and we will continue to update this web page.

Darey's heart gave out this morning at 11:15. His wife, sister and the harpist were with him at the time. May God go with him and be with us. Dan.

Carol,
If hadn't of been for your mother (years ago), we never would have met you and Darey.

It was just a few weeks ago that I brought some music in, to be put into John Jantzi'z mail box at the church. And there you two were - so cheerful and helpful.

Please know that our prayers and thoughts are with you now and for the future.

Hugs & Blessings,
Larry & Linda Larson

How shocked and deeply saddened I feel as I read the latest update from Patty. You are in my prayers as you face this very painful, sudden loss of our much beloved Darey, such a light-filled, kind, gentle and wise man.

Please know that you and your loved ones are held up in prayers by all of us, your church family. Many of us grieve his loss and pray that he is now at peace. May you feel the love, caring and support of all of us during this difficult and painful time. With much love, Liba Stafl

To me, Darey was a spiritual mentor, the best friend I ever had, and best darn pinochle partner ever.

Doug Nelson, Rock Island, Illinois.

It is with great sadness that we read the news of Darey. What a very special man - so giving, so vibrant. You have been constantly in our prayers and thoughts - and will continue to be. May you find the peace that passes understanding.

Wayne & Nancy Hayner

Carol:
As a youth growing up in an unchurched family I had no ideal what was in store for me when a neighbor down our street told Darey about a 15 year old girl that needed a church family. Linwood Christian Church 1965, talk about the power of the Lord. With his quiet patience and his wonderful wife standing with him always, it made a profound difference in that girl’s life. I always felt loved and accepted even through the years as you moved from Indianapolis and on to the many places the Lord lead you. You both have radiated that true spirit of our Lord and it overflowed in you both. That is a rare gift. It was a true call from God for the ministry you shared. Oh how my heart aches for our loss, but what a blessing to have had him in our lives. Praise the Lord! Darey has gone home and through my tears of sorrow I am so overjoyed for him.

Love and prayers as always,
Karen – Linwood Christian Church, Indianapolis, IN

Carol,
Our hearts go out to you and your sons at the loss of Darey. Please know that you are in our prayers and also on our prayer lists at Linwood Christian Church in Indianapolis. What happy memories we have of your time serving with us years ago.

Please accept our deepest sympathy and heart felt prayers, may God grant you peace and strength.

Carol,
I was so saddened to hear about Darey. I was a student at CTS in the late 80's when he was there. He was the first person whom I met when I walked into the door and I KNEW after meeting him, and talking with him about my questions and my life issues, that I had come to the right place.

What a blessing he was! I can still remember the hospitality he extended to me, a wayward stranger from the Church of God (Anderson). I soon (within one year) took my membership to the Disciples of Christ and was ordained in 1990. I just spoke with my best friend last night (Dr. Lawrence Burnley, Ph.D.) whom I met there and to this day stay in touch with though he lives in PA and I in IN. My time was so rich at CTS, I believe, partly because of the way it started in those first moments with Darey.

Be this as it may, I consider Darey (whom I did see a few times after I left CTS and told him how much that initial and really subsequent meetings with him meant to me) to be one of God's gracious messengers.
May you find some solace in knowing others knew something of his love and care and can vividly remember!

Blessings to you and your family, and may you find the support and love that you need to help you in this time.

CAROL: THERE ARE NO WORDS I CAN SAY TO EXPRESS HOW SORRY GARY AND I ARE TO HERE ABOUT DAREY. OUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS ARE WITH YOU AND THE FAMILY.

WE HAVE SO MANY GOOD MEMORIES OF OUR TIME TOGETHER AT LINWOOD. GARY AND I WERE JUST TALKING HERE WHILE BACK ABOUT THE TIME OUR TABLE CRASHED WHEN YOU AND DAREY HAD SUNDAY DINNER WITH US. IT IS THESE AND MANY MORE THAT WE CAN REFLECT ON NOW.

I just wanted to let you know that my prayers and heartfelt sympathy are with you and the family in the loss of your husband, Darey. He was very instrumental in me moving from Columbus, Ohio, to attend CTS. What I will always remember about him was that he was a very caring and genuine person with the heart of a pastor.

T. Eugene Fisher, Director of Membership
Pension Fund of the Christian Church
(Disciples of Christ)
130 East Washington Street
Indianapolis, IN 46204-3659

So saddened to hear of Darey's death. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

I was so sorry to learn of Darey's death in the Indiana Regional care card e-mail. It was my privilege and pleasure to know Darey when we worked at CTS. He was a great guy and a good friend and though I am lesser because of his passing, I am better because of his gifts.

I was so terribly shocked to hear of Darey's death. He and I enjoyed a wonderful friendship when we worked together at CTS. I found him to be "a true Israelite in whom there was no guile!" and I put great stock in his opinion and his understanding of all things related to persons.

People like Darey make a contribution to the world by just walking around in it, and his absence leaves a void impossible to fill. While his days at CTS were not always the happiest, he certainly made them happier for me whenever we could share our trials together. I hope he knew that the problems in those days were the school's and not his or mine.

Dear Carol and family,
How very saddened we are to hear about Darey's passing. Although we
know he has gone home and is welcomed into the arms of his Savior, it is
still very sad to not have your companion at your side.

When we think of you and Darey, we think about that starry eyed young
couple that were so in love and was furnishing their home from Goodwill
and enjoying the excitment of creating a home of their own. We think of
the laughter and fine Christian example the two of you set for our kids,
David and Diana, here at Linwood Christian Church in Indianapolis. For
all the good memories you both helped to give to our family, we will
always be grateful!

There was and is a special place in our hearts for you both and we
offer our prayers for strength and comfort for you and your family at
this difficult time. Words seem so inadequate at a time such as this.
We just wish we could gather you in our arms and comfort you with our
presence!

To Carol, and Family:

My Condolences to YOU and YOUR FAMILY. May God comfort you all.

In His Service,

Rev. Effie M. Blair

Dear Carol,

Know that you are in my thoughts and prayers. So often fond memories of your family at Third Christian Church come to my mind—especially lawn bowling at youth group picnics. Darey always offered such inspired prayers at the Communion Table. He was so thoughtful and kind. I was shocked and sorry to hear the news. I hope you feel God’s compassionate hand offering comfort and strength in the days to come. Know that no matter the miles, your Christian community surrounds you.

Sincerely yours in Christ,

Rev. Susan Fritz-Kent

Darey has suffered a severe brain injury from a fall off a ladder
and has been unconscious since surgery on September 2. Continued
swelling of the brain makes his prognosis very poor.

We would like to establish a "rolling" prayer vigil for Darey in which volunteers sign up to remember him and his family in prayer at specific times of the day. If you can spend 5, 10 or 15 minutes in prayer for Darey,
please e-mail Glen Campbell at campbell232@comcast.net to indicate the time of day when you will pause to remember Darey.

You may pray at the location of your own choosing: at First Christian on weekdays between 9 and 4, or in the chapel on the ground floor of Sacred Heart Hospital (open 24 hours). Please note that Darey is not able to have visitors.

If you would like to post a note of encouragement or reflection, please also send it to campbell232@comcast.net, and we will post those messages on this web page for Darey's family and friends to see.

Update (provided by Dan Bryant):

9 a.m. Friday, 9/8/06. Darey's pulse and blood pressure remain stable. We also learned that he has been showing signs of breathing on his own for the last couple of days.

Update (provided by Dan Bryant):

8 pm, Thursday, 9/7/06. Pulse and blood pressure appear stable and
about the same as this afternoon.

Update on Darey (provided by Dan Bryant):

Thursday, 9/7/06, 4 pm. Darey is now experiencing some cardiac
difficulties and problems with infections. However, when a harpist
came to play for him this afternoon, his heart responded almost
immediately and settled into a more steady rhythm and his blood
pressure improved significantly. Please remember also in your
prayers his two sons who are driving from Illinois. They expect to
be in Eugene by Sunday.

Participant	Date/Time
Dan Bryant	Daily, 6:45 a.m.
Hope Lyda	Daily, 9:00 a.m.
Thelma Weeks	Day and night.
Patty Weller	8:30 p.m.
Loren Swanson	3:00 p.m.
Jo-Anne Flanders	5:00 - 5:15 p.m.
Mary Robertson Kelly Windhaven	9:00 - 9:15 p.m., throughout the day as well.
Mary Ritchey	Morning prayers with candles, Friday & Saturday at 4:45 a.m.
Betty Jo Johnson	8:30 a.m. daily, also other times.
Jamie McCornack	11:00 - 11:15 p.m. each night.
Elaine Andres	7 a.m. and 10 p.m. daily
Liv Gibbons	Non-stop.
Patty Osborne	6:00 p.m.

I want to say that I will pray for Darey throughout my day and night. Miracles are happening all the time, and we never know when we will see another one. I will pray that God watches closely over Darey and surrounds him with love and comfort, and comforts his family.

Bernice, Carol & Family. My heart aches for what has happened to Darey. Darey's presence is so missed. Not just by those of us that know and love him but by the people he encountered during the day when he was here for the Good Samaritan Ministry. I pray for God's healing touch in what ever form that may be and that you be surrounded with His love.

Darey and you have been on my mind and in my thoughts and prayers ever since I heard the grim news last Sat. evening; I pass the prayer request on to others that may not have yet heard constantly, and I will be praying for you all this evening (Th.) from 5-5:15. Please let me know if I can make telephone calls, provide transportation, cook and/or deliver food, or other tasks that might be done.

Carol my heart and prayers are with you. I grieve with you and send love to you and I am mad at the world and in shock with you. If you need anything and I know you can't think of anything right now, let me know. Love, Danette Lamson-Hall.

I'm praying for Darey non-stop here in London and would like to let Carol know that I send my love.