Pastor Phil (Philip) Burkett

PASTOR PHIL (PHILIP) BURKETT 

 Philip Burkett, age 67, took his Shepherd’s hand and moved on to his heavenly home on Friday, October 4, 2024, in United Hospice Services Residence in Marlette, Michigan. He was born on May 4, 1957 in Manjama, Kakua Chiefdom, Sierra Leone, West Africa as the fourth son of Marion and Frances Burkett who were serving as missionaries there.

 Growing up, he lived in Michigan and Kentucky and then back in Africa for his first three years of high school studying by correspondence at the Rupp Memorial Boarding School in Kabala, Sierra Leone. His family returned to the States, where he finished his senior year and graduated from Walled Lake Western High School in Walled Lake, Michigan. Bethel College (now University), Mishawaka, Indiana is where he studied music as a freshman, then transferred to Huntington College (now University) in Indiana to complete his BA Degree in music. There he met his wife, Darlene Conner, who was also in the music department. They married in 1979 moving to Louisville, Kentucky where he completed a Master of Church Music degree at Southern Baptist Seminary. 

 Gethsemane United Brethren Church in Jackson, Michigan, was his first pastorate. He served as Music, Youth, and eventually Senior Pastor while completing a Master of Christian Ministries Degree from Huntington College. They were blessed with two children, Jeremy and Carissa, who were born in Jackson. 

 In 1986, their family of four moved to Macau, East Asia, serving with the United Brethren Missions Board for four years. Returning from there found them in Toronto, Ontario, serving Bloem Avenue United Brethren Church’s English congregation while helping to facilitate a Chinese ministry. 

 Moving back to Darlene’s home area, Phil served as Worship Arts Pastor with College Park United Brethren Church in Huntington, Indiana for twelve years. While there he taught several classes both undergraduate and graduate level at Huntington University. Also, while there, he completed a Doctorate of Worship Studies from the Robert Webber Institute for Worship Studies.

 In 2011, Cass City Missionary Church welcomed Phil and Darlene as he became their Lead Pastor. He had a significant and powerful impact on many lives and was loved by his congregation as he continued to serve his Lord there. His ministry of thirteen years in Cass City found him involved in community ministries as well, including directing community choirs, Tom Thumb Singers of Cass City and Thumb Community Concert Choir of Sebewaing. 

 Phil always spoke proudly of his kids, supporting them and participating in their activities as much as possible. He and Darlene celebrated forty-five years of marriage this past May and were always happy to share the many wonderful memories of where God led them together in ministry.

 Phil is survived by his wife, Darlene of Cass City; son, Jeremy (Jessica) Burkett of Baltimore, Maryland; daughter, Carissa (Mike Mihalas) Burkett of Portland, Oregon; brothers: David (Julie) Burkett of Franklin, Pennsylvania; Mark (Sandy) Burkett of Columbia City, Indiana; sister-in-law, Karen (Jonathan) Kaetzel of Guernsey, Wyoming; nine nieces and nephews; seven great nieces and nephews. Phil was preceded in death by his parents and one brother, Stephen Burkett.

 A Celebration of Life Service will be held 11:00 a.m. Saturday, October 19, 2024 in Cass City Missionary Church, with Pastor Jeremy Woodall officiating. Memorials may be made to Cass City Missionary Church Building Fund. A graveside service will be held 4:00 p.m. Sunday, October 20, 2024 in Glenwood Cemetery in Roanoke, Indiana. 

Visitation: 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, October 18, 2024 in Cass City Missionary Church

               10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Saturday, October 19, 2024 in Cass City Missionary Church

Arrangements by Kranz Funeral Home, Cass City