CRAWFORDSVILLE, IN – Rosemary Marie French Burkhardt Lyon, age 91, of Crawfordsville, IN, died unexpectedly at her daughter’s home on January 22, 2026. She was born on February 24, 1934, in Byron, IN to the late Earl and Mary (Gooding) French. Rosemary was a 1952 graduate of Waveland High School, where she was active in band and cheerleading. Rosemary began and ended her career working in the banking industry at Elston Bank and Trust Co (later PNC), where she met many people in the community.

Rosemary married James Wallace Burkhardt on March 21, 1954. He preceded her in death on December 30, 1986. She later married Allen Lyon on October 10, 1987. He preceded her in death on October 19, 2018.

Rosemary enjoyed spending time with her family and friends. In the last several years, she enjoyed attending Sisters Day every week with her sister and her nieces. She was a longtime member of Friendship Baptist Church in Crawfordsville, IN and served as Secretary for many years. Her friends and family will remember her for her beautiful smile, her back scratches, her chocolate chip cookies, seeing her walking downtown, her kindness, generosity, listening ear, helping others, and her love for Jesus Christ, her Savior.

She is survived by her children, Janet Surface, Phillip (Stacey) Burkhardt, and Chyrl (Ken) Sherlock; siblings, Linda Thompson (Gene) Redden; grandchildren, Kristen (Blake) Price, Katie (Gary) Villines, Sarah Surface, Erica (Wes) Bayless, Kaleb (Courtney) Meihls, Meagan (Evan) Livesay, Jill Marcum, and Michael (Chrissie) Sherlock; great grandchildren, Kaden Price, Lainey Price, Hunter Villines, Silas Villines, Ford Villines, Jackson Villines, Eli Bayless, Easton Bayless, Kale Livesay, Ethan Marcum, and Nicholas Marcum, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents and both husbands, she is preceded in death by her son, Michael Burkhardt; sisters, Dorothy Stockdale and Betty Royer McBee, and her brother, Earl Jr. French.

A visitation will be held on Friday, January 30, 2026, at 11 AM at Friendship Baptist Church, 1981 Oak Hill Road, Crawfordsville, IN 47933. A funeral service will follow at 12 PM at the church, officiated by Pastor Chris Hortin. Burial will take place at Oak Hill Cemetery, Crawfordsville, IN. Flowers may be delivered to the church on Friday between 9-11 AM. If desired, memorial contributions made be made to the church, in honor of Rosemary. For additional information and to view Rosemary’s online obituary, please visit www.churchfuneralsdirect.com.


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