Phyllis (Merry) Trinkle Burkhart, 81, passed away Thursday at the IU Health Bloomington Hospice House.
Phyllis was born on Feb. 15, 1934, in Algiers, Indiana, the daughter of Charles and Iola (Burns) Merry.
Phyllis was a graduate of Washington High School and attended Indiana University. She was an Army wife. Phyllis began working in 1971 for Vista Volunteer and retired after 27 years of service as executive director of South Central Community Action Program. Phyllis also served on the Board of Public Safety and was the recipient of the 1991 Women of The Year award for all of her accomplishments and contributions to the community. She was a member of the United Presbyterian Church.
Phyllis is survived by her loving children, three daughters, Jill Trinkle, Gina Riggen and Tia Deckard (Eric); two sons, Richard Trinkle (Connie) and Charles Trinkle (Nanette), all of Bloomington; eight grandchildren, Stephanie Barnhill, Tabatha Trinkle, Johnny Lee Hettle Jr., Colin Deckard, Seth, Rebekah, Eli and Caleb Trinkle; two sisters, Betty Cosby (Gene) and Patsy Swartzentruber (Dennis); two stepchildren, Jim Burkhart and Richard Burkhart; and six stepgrandchildren, Amy, Stephanie, Tom, Aaron, Rachel and Abby.
She is preceded in death by her parents; her first husband, Gene Trinkle; her second, husband Richard Burkhart; and a granddaughter, Sarah Trinkle.
A Celebration of Life will be held 7 p.m. Tuesday at Allen Funeral Home and Crematory, 4155 S. Old State Road 37, Bloomington, with Rev. Mitchell Coggin officiating. The family will receive friends from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be given to South Central Community Action Program or the United Presbyterian Church.
Condolences may be sent to the family at www.allenfuneralhome.org