Thomas "Burkey" J. Burkhardt, 66, of Salisbury Township, formerly of Bethlehem, died January 12, 2013, in his home. He was the husband of the late Mary Beth (Fistner) Burkhardt. He was the son of Joseph and Helen (Szabo) Burkhardt.

He was a United States Navy veteran, proudly serving aboard the U.S.S., Yorktown during the Vietnam War.

He worked for 33 years at the Bethlehem Steel Company, retiring in 1995.

He was a member of Ss. Simon and Jude Church, Bethlehem, and a lifetime member of Citizen's Hose Fire Company in Easton.

He is survived by his children, Melanie, of Riverside, Calif., Tommy Jr. and his wife, Nancy, of Salisbury Township; grandchildren, Jared, Alicia, Justin and Jeremy; sisters, Kathleen and her husband John Crisafulli, of Easton; Mary Lou and her husband Ted Crocus, of Fountain Hill. many nieces, nephews and cousins and Lily the cat.

Contributions may be made to St. Luke's Hospice, Development Office, 801 Ostrum St., Bethlehem, 18015.

Arrangements were made by the Connel Funeral Home Inc., Bethlehem.