Barbara Jean (Johnson) Burmeister of Hart passed-away peacefully on Sunday, June 23, 2019 at the age of 93.

Barbara was born April 27, 1926 in Muskegon to Orville Johnson and Mabel (Seguin) Johnson. She grew up in Shelby and graduated from Shelby High School in 1944. Barbara studied Speech, Dramatics and Radio Education at Michigan State University, earning her Bachelors degree in 1948 and Masters degree in 1956.

Barbara married Hubert Burmeister in 1950 and gave birth to their son Kurt in 1959.

Barbara began her teaching career in at Greenville (MI) High School in 1948 and then moved to Hart High School in 1950 where she taught a variety of subjects including Speech, French, English, Literature, Dramatics, Forensics, Debate, Journalism, and Social Studies.

Barbara was very involved in extra-curricular activities, working with high-school students to produce one to three full-length dramatic plays each year along with serving as advisor for student-directed plays, a "Hi-Jinks" variety show, "Mock Rock" fundraising shows, and the dance groups "Burmeister's Beauties" and "LeNouvelle". At one point during the 1960's membership in the Hart High School Drama Club had grown to over 130 students.

Barbara's student speakers had success in High School Forensics (Speech) competitions and consistently competed in the State Finals held at The University of Michigan each year, competing well against students from much larger schools.

In the years when Hart High School had Debate Team, Barbara's student speakers also did well in their competitive events. In 1957, her team of first-year Debaters brought home the Michigan High School State Debate Championship, beating perennial favorite Detroit Country Day High School in the final debate.

Barbara was very proud of her students' accomplishments, whether they were a competitive speaker or shy sophomore overcoming the fear of speaking from the front of the class for the first time. She regularly received notes from former students expressing gratitude for the impact "speech class" had on their careers and their life.

Barbara retired from teaching in 1987 but remained quite active in the Hart community, dabbling in real estate with Coldwell Banker, operating Courtland House antique and estate sales, and being involved with the Hart Chamber of Commerce and Hart United Congregational Church of Christ.

Barbara was preceded in death by: her husband, Hubert; brothers, Robert Johnson and John Puffer; and special friend Don VanderVen.

Barbara is survived by: son, Kurt and his wife Amy Bannink-Burmeister of Sparta; granddaughters, Hanna Burmeister and Kendra Burmeister; brother, Don Puffer; sister, Marge (Jim) Peterman; sister in-law, Mildred Johnson; and many nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be conducted at 11:00 AM, Friday, June 28, 2019, at Beacon Cremation & Funeral Service, King-Hart Chapel, in Hart, with Pastor Dan Barnum-Steggerda officiating. Interment will be in the Hart Cemetery. Visitation will be held at the funeral home on Thursday, June 27, 2019, from 6-8 PM, and Friday, June 28, 2019, from 10:00 AM until time of services.

Barbara loved the performing arts. Memorials may be directed to Hart Community Performing Arts Association, PO Box 7, Hart, MI 49420.

Beacon Cremation & Funeral Service is in charge of arrangements.

www.beaconfh.com