Edward Joseph Burghardt, 76, of Sears, Michigan, passed away unexpectedly, in Grand Rapids on October 23, 2024. He was born in Detroit, Michigan, on March 18,1948, to Edward Richard and Marion (Forster) Burghardt. Ed graduated from Notre Dame Catholic High School in 1966 and went on to honorably serve in the United States Navy from 1968 to 1974.

He married Joanne C. Bachor on January 19, 1985, in Milford, Michigan and they made their home in Highland, where they raised their three sons, until moving to Sears in April of 2004. Edward was a dedicated financial advisor through Ameriprise and was always supportive of his children’s endeavors. He will be deeply missed by all who knew him. Edward was known for his love of sports, particularly golf, and was a devoted fan of the Detroit Tigers and Lions, his enthusiasm for sports rubbed off on his wife, Joanne. The couple enjoyed watching the Lions with his brother, Thomas every Sunday. He was known for his patience, quiet demeanor, good sense of humor, and warm friendliness.

Edward is survived by his wife of 39 years, Joanne, who will deeply miss watching him nap peacefully in his chair; and his three sons: Joseph Burghardt (Natalie McDonald) of Gibraltar, Mathew Wort of West Bloomfield, and Andrew Wort (Erin) of Gibraltar. He was a proud grandfather to two grandchildren, Morgan and Gavin Wort; one brother Thomas (Dorothy) Burghardt of Reed City; sister in law, Linda Burghardt of Yale, Michigan; and many nieces, nephews, extended family and friends at Evart Elementary School, where he had been a ParaPro in Mrs. Ladd’s classroom, for the last eight years. Ed was preceded in death by his brother Robert Burghardt and parents.

A Celebration of Life was held on November 2, 2024 at 4:00 p.m. at Crossroads Community Church, where he faithfully attended for many years. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Salvation Army or St. Jude's Children's Hospital. For those of you who can't join us, memories can be shared on the Corey Funeral Home, (Evart, MI), website, at www.coreyfuneralhome.com