Earl Burkdorf

Little Falls, NY-Earl Franklin Oliver Burkdorf, of State Route 167, Little Falls, NY, entered into eternal rest peacefully on December 13, 2016 at the Alpine Rehabilitation & Nursing Center in Little Falls, NY. He was born on June 25, 1924 in St. Johnsville, NY, son of John Oliver Burkdorf and Lillian Ricer Burkdorf. On November 24, 1960 he was joined in marriage with Florene Ida Burkdorf at the Hillcrest Methodist Church in Hillcrest, N.Y.  Mrs. Burkdorf passed away on August 31st of this year. Earl grew up in the St. Johnsville area with his two older brothers, Harold and Ralph.  He was educated in the St. Johnsville schools.  After high school Earl worked with his father on a dairy farm.  Later purchased the Pleasant View farm on Route 5S in Fort Plain in 1953 and continued a career in farming.  In 1965 moved to Snells Bush Road in Little Falls to run the Cliftaire farm.  As a dairy farmer his passion was to raise quality dairy cows continuing on the tradition that he learned from his father.  He retired from dairy farming in 1981 and worked for the Herkimer Home Historic site for twenty years as maintenance and security.  Earl enjoyed working on his computers writing his life stories.  He worked for many years researching family genealogy for his relatives and family genealogy research for many of his friends.  Earl was a member of the St. Johnsville and Dolgeville Methodist Churches. Earl is survived by his children a daughter, Carol Wieczenski and her husband Walter; a son Gary Burkdorf; a daughter Sarah Burkdorf; a son Peter Burkdorf and his wife Erica; a niece, a nephew, many grandchildren, and great grandchildren.  Earl is predeceased by his wife Florene Gogolin Burkdorf; daughter Sharon Vosburgh; son Roger Burkdorf; first wife Anne Youker Burkdorf; and brothers Harold and Ralph Burkdorf. A celebration of life service for Earl is to be planned for family and friends at the Dolgeville United Methodist Church in January.  Arrangements for cremation are in the caring guidance of Daniel J. Enea Funeral and Cremation Care, 5860 State Route 5 (near St. Mary's Cemetery), between Little Falls and Herkimer, 508-5250.