Andrew Robert Burkholder
Andrew Robert Burkholder, 17, of Elburn passed away on Wednesday, March 5, 2003, at
Delnor-Community Hospital in Geneva, where he was taken following an auto accident
Monday afternoon, March 3.
Delnor-Community Hospital in Geneva, where he was taken following an auto accident
Monday afternoon, March 3.
For two days, he fought silently from deep inside a coma. On Wednesday, he was released
from his battle but left behind the gift of life for several others. His organs were donated
to strangers; his memory to family and friends. His life returned to the One who gave it,
but his love remains forever in the hearts of all who knew him.
from his battle but left behind the gift of life for several others. His organs were donated
to strangers; his memory to family and friends. His life returned to the One who gave it,
but his love remains forever in the hearts of all who knew him.
Andrew was born on Feb. 15, 1986, in Aurora, the son of Bob and Donna (Berg) Burkholder.
By the time he was 3, Andrew was putting together 300 piece puzzles and before
kindergarten, he began reading spontaneously. He was gifted with an I.Q. that allowed him
to succeed with ease at many things. That same gift seemed to bring with it a life-long
battle with boredom. But Andrew was creative and discovered ways to bring boredom to
"life" with mischief.
By the time he was 3, Andrew was putting together 300 piece puzzles and before
kindergarten, he began reading spontaneously. He was gifted with an I.Q. that allowed him
to succeed with ease at many things. That same gift seemed to bring with it a life-long
battle with boredom. But Andrew was creative and discovered ways to bring boredom to
"life" with mischief.
Beginning with the first time he threw a baseball, Andrew loved playing the sport. He
enjoyed the camaraderie of T-ball even though every game ended in a tie. When he was
older, his fastball was legendary, and in one game, he threw 16 strikeouts out of 18 possible.
His baseball dream ended in high school, but he threw himself into playing golf and
participated on the team for his entire four years. In golf, he not only played the game
well, he was the undisputed "charm champ" on the golf course.
enjoyed the camaraderie of T-ball even though every game ended in a tie. When he was
older, his fastball was legendary, and in one game, he threw 16 strikeouts out of 18 possible.
His baseball dream ended in high school, but he threw himself into playing golf and
participated on the team for his entire four years. In golf, he not only played the game
well, he was the undisputed "charm champ" on the golf course.
Andrew was also a young man with a taste for "class." Anything worth having or doing was
only worth it if it was the best. He was always gregarious. One cell call and the yard was
full of friends. Andrew also loved computer games as well, and excelled when it came to
matching wits with high speed Internet games. He began playing Super Mario at 5 years
old and was hooked from then on.
only worth it if it was the best. He was always gregarious. One cell call and the yard was
full of friends. Andrew also loved computer games as well, and excelled when it came to
matching wits with high speed Internet games. He began playing Super Mario at 5 years
old and was hooked from then on.
Wednesday, he left this life for a tee time on a heavenly course where he will never miss
a putt.
a putt.
He is preceded in death by his paternal grandfather, Glen Burkholder, who passed away in
2002, and his brother, Jarrett, who died Monday, March 3, 2003, in the same crash that
claimed Andrew's own life.
2002, and his brother, Jarrett, who died Monday, March 3, 2003, in the same crash that
claimed Andrew's own life.
In addition to his parents, he is survived by his paternal grandmother, Jewell Burkholder
of Port Charlotte, Fla.; and maternal grandparents, Gale and Mary Ellen Berg of
Casselberry, Fla.; three paternal aunts and uncles, Bev (Bob) Paul of Rochelle, Bill (Susan)
Burkholder of Elwood, Jim (Joan) Burkholder of Loganville, Ga.; six maternal aunts and
uncles, Howard (Irene) Berg, of Spring Hill, Fla., Alan (Veralee) Berg, of Phoenix, Ariz.,
Dennis (Avis) Berg of Rochelle, Steve (Mary) Berg of Orlando, Fla., Ron (Liz) Berg of
Algonquin, Diane Berg, of Casselberry; many "cousins" and an endless amount of backyard
friends.
of Port Charlotte, Fla.; and maternal grandparents, Gale and Mary Ellen Berg of
Casselberry, Fla.; three paternal aunts and uncles, Bev (Bob) Paul of Rochelle, Bill (Susan)
Burkholder of Elwood, Jim (Joan) Burkholder of Loganville, Ga.; six maternal aunts and
uncles, Howard (Irene) Berg, of Spring Hill, Fla., Alan (Veralee) Berg, of Phoenix, Ariz.,
Dennis (Avis) Berg of Rochelle, Steve (Mary) Berg of Orlando, Fla., Ron (Liz) Berg of
Algonquin, Diane Berg, of Casselberry; many "cousins" and an endless amount of backyard
friends.
Services were held on March 8 at 11 a.m. at Kaneland High School. Gary Augustine, pastor
of the Evangelical Fellowship Church in Elburn, officiated. Interment followed at the
Blackberry Cemetery in Elburn. A scholarship fund in Andrew's memory has been
established at Kaneland High School.
of the Evangelical Fellowship Church in Elburn, officiated. Interment followed at the
Blackberry Cemetery in Elburn. A scholarship fund in Andrew's memory has been
established at Kaneland High School.