Jane Ellen (Leavitt) Burkhead, 87, of New Albany, Indiana passed away on Thursday, March 21, 2024. She was the daughter of Charles and Maureen Leavitt of Parkersburg, West Virginia. In her youth, Jane divided her time between their home in town and the family's 400-acre farm in Mineral Wells, West Virginia. There she spent her warm summer weekends and developed a love of horses.
She attended Parkersburg High School, then Wheaton College, where she obtained a BSN in nursing. After college, Jane moved to San Francisco where she met her husband, Edward Burkhead, and gave birth to her two children, Brian and Paula. The family moved from California to Portland, Oregon and then Jeffersonville, Indiana. Jane and her husband were faithful members of Christ Gospel Church, which she attended for 50 years. She was active in Sunday School and would make 15 pies at a time for church functions. During church conventions, Jane would host numerous members from out of town and around the world.
Along with her parents, Jane was preceded in death by her husband, Edward; son, Brian; and siblings, Charlotte Palmer, Marilyn Rivers and Carr Leavitt.
Jane is survived by her daughter, Paula Johnson and her husband, Steven; grandchildren, Nicole Hartman, Sarah Johnson, Natalie Hartman, Katherine Johnson; sister-in-law, Priscilla Leavitt; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
Visitation will be from 3:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, March 27, 2024 at Newcomer Cremations, Funerals & Receptions (3309 Ballard Lane, New Albany) with her funeral service taking place at 6:00 p.m. She will be laid to rest privately at Walnut Ridge Cemetery in Jeffersonville.
Contributions in her memory may be made to the Franklin Graham - Samaritan's Purse International Relief (PO Box 3000, Boone, NC 28607).
Jane's service will be livestreamed at the scheduled service time.
Click here to view the service.
Please consider sharing a memory of Jane or leaving a special message for her family using the "Share Memories" section below.