Shirley Ann (Johnson) Burkhalter, 72, of Kokomo, went to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ at 3:54 pm Thursday, April 25, 2024. She was born in Lafayette, IN, on November 23, 1951, the daughter of the late Charles and Florence (Miller) Johnson. On February 20, 1971, she married Robert “Bob” Burkhalter in Delphi, and he survives.

Shirley was a 1970 graduate of Delphi High School. She worked at St. Vincent Hospital and later retired from Community Howard Regional Health where she worked as an insurance biller. Shirley was a modest, caring, and loving woman who prioritized her family. She was considered the matriarch of the family who held everybody together. She had a strong faith in Jesus and was a devout member of Chapel Hill Christian Church. Shirley kept a beautiful garden at her home. She adored pets of all kinds, but especially her cat named Bippus.

In addition to her husband of 50 plus years, she is survived by her daughters, Courtney (Ben) Hepler, Whitney (Jeremy) Shanks; grandchildren, Corben Hepler, Bella Hepler, JJ Flinn, Alexus Shanks, Aiden Stevens, Cloe Stevens, Ava Shanks; brother, Steve (Denice) Johnson; 5 step-grandchildren; 4 great-grandchildren and one great-grandchild on the way.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Charles and Florence Johnson.

Friends are invited to visit with the family from 4 to 8 pm Wednesday, May 1, 2024, at Shirley & Stout Funeral Home & Crematory, 1315 West Lincoln Road, Kokomo, IN 46902. A graveside service will be held at 11 am Thursday, May 2, 2024, at I.O.O.F Memorial Gardens Cemetery, also known as Oddfellows Cemetery in Pittsburg, IN, with Pastor Steve Allen officiating. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Shirley’s memory to the Parkinson Foundation, Alzheimer’s Association, or the Kokomo Humane Society. Stout & Son Funeral Home has been entrusted with arrangements.