Joseph Burkhardt

Joseph (Joe) Burkhardt passed away peacefully on Oct. 10, 2015, in Mountain Home. A visitation will be held on Thursday, Oct. 15 from 4 to 6 p.m. at Rost Funeral Home, McMurtrey Chapel, and services will be held at 10 a.m. on Friday, Oct. 16, 2015, at Rost Funeral Home, McMurtrey Chapel.

Born Sept. 6, 1919, in Haskell N.J., Joe joined the U.S. Navy before World War II. After discharge, he proposed to and married his sweetheart, Daisy Smith, in May 1942.

Joe then volunteered for the Army Air Corps to join the war effort. His first taste of Idaho came while stationed at Gowen Field in Boise, where he trained as combat aircrew prior to flying to Europe.

Assigned to the 15th Air Force, he flew B-24 bombers earning several decorations, including the Distinguished Flying Cross for heroic action over Austria in April 1945. Transferring to the Reserves after the war, he secured a position with Reaction Motors in New Jersey.

Recalled to the USAF during the Korean War, Joe made the military a career and flew B-36 and B-47 bombers with the Strategic Air Command, where his assignments returned him to Idaho at Mountain Home AFB in 1961. Retiring in 1966 from Charleston, S.C. as an Air Force major, he lived in Tallahassee, Fla., and Boynton Beach, Fla., from 1967 to 1980 from whence he and Daisy returned to Idaho and lived out the remainder of their lives.

His beloved wife, Daisy, preceded him in death in 1994 after 52 years of marriage. Joe is survived by his three children, son Joe Jr. and his wife, Patty; daughter Lynn and son Steve, with six grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren and one great-great grandson.

The family, while mourning his passing, wishes all to celebrate the blessings of his far-reaching life. They extend gratitude to all of Joe's friends for their love, friendship, and support.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that donations be made to either the Mountain Home Meals on Wheels or Mountain Home Senior Center, at 1000 North 3rd East, Mountain Home, ID 83647 or American Cancer Society, 2676 South Vista, Boise, ID 83705.