July 24, 1925 - Dec. 24, 2009

ELKHART -- Doris P. "Shorty" Burks, 84, of Elkhart, died at 1:25 p.m. Thursday (Dec. 24, 2009) at Miller's Merry Manor, Wakarusa.

She was born on July 24, 1925, in Mishawaka to Oral C. and Winifred (Gross) Emmans. She married Paul Heiser, Richard S. Hartman, William Foster and Manuel "Max" Burks. They all preceded her in death.

Survivors include three sons, Roger (Janice) Hartman of Elkhart, Richard C. (Sue) Hartman of Indianapolis and Glenn I. (Joan) Hartman of Pennsylvania; one daughter, Theresa (Terry) Hudnall of Hawthorne, Fla.; 13 grandchildren; and several great- and great-great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by one brother, Winton Emmans.

Mrs. Burks drove a cab for Ace Cab Co. in Elkhart for 20 years. After retirement, she moved to Tennessee with her husband, Max Burks, and returned to Elkhart in 2004 after his death. She was a member of the Jimtown Family Church of the Nazarene and a former member of the Salvation Army. She was a Cub Scout den leader. She enjoyed crocheting and teaching her grandchildren to crochet, and was proud to be a Silver Star Mother.

Friends may call for one hour prior to the 1 p.m. Monday funeral service at Billings Funeral Home, 812 Baldwin St., Elkhart. The Rev. Mike Kohl of Jimtown Family Church of the Nazarene will officiate. Graveside services and burial will follow at Olive East Cemetery in Elkhart.

Memorials may be given to the church. Visit www.billingsfuneralhome.com to send online condolences