Samuel Joseph "Sammy" Burkhart, 88, of Bellaire, Ohio died January 27, 2021 in Wheeling Hospital.

He was born May 20, 1932 in Shadyside, Ohio, a son of the late Jesse Burkhart and Mae Wright Burkhart.

Sammy was a retired employee of American Electric Power and served in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War. He was a member of the St. Clairsville Church of Christ and a member of the American Legion Post 52 in Bellaire. Sammy was a big fan of the OSU Buckeyes, Cleveland Browns and especially all Bellaire Big Reds Athletics. He could always be found playing a joke, blowing balloons for children, wearing a big smile and a crazy hat.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a daughter, Molly Leonard; a grandson, Mark Rose Jr.; two sons-in-law, Mark Rose and Pete Stephens; a sister, Glenna McWilliams and a brother, Don Burkhart.

Surviving are his loving wife, Dolores Lavella Ramsay Burkhart; three daughters, Robin Stephens, Sue (Gary) Materkoski and Lisa Rose; a son-in-law, John "Cash" Leonard; eight grandchildren, Alyson (Tyler) Brown, Kayla (Aaron) Crow, John Samuel Leonard, Katey Leonard, Matthew (Nori) Materkoski, Shana Materkoski, Chad Rose and Tyler Rose; fourteen great grandchildren, Journey, Brynlee, Brittyn, Lochlyn, Waylynn, Tycen, Kennedy, Riley, Ella, Samuel, Ava, Aleah, Axton and Kamden.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, social distancing and facial coverings will be required during the public visitation on Saturday from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Toothman Funeral Home in St. Clairsville.

A Private funeral service will be held for family only with burial in Belmont County Memorial Park Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to the St. Clairsville Church of Christ.