Cleo Ann (Davis) Burgard

Cleo Ann (Davis) Burgard, the most remarkable mother, grandmother, nurse, mentor, and friend, passed away in her home at the age of 81 on September 16, 2022 after suffering a devastating stroke. She was born on May 10, 1941 to Charles & Beverly Davis, and grew up in Marion, IN with her 2 younger siblings, Chuck & Cheryl Jean – who were all 4 there to greet her at the gates of Heaven.

Cleo graduated from Marion High School, and went on to graduate from The Methodist School of Nursing. She was a bedside nurse and head of critical care at Community Hospital for much of her career. She retired in 2011, after 49 total years of service, as the network’s Vice President of Quality Resources & Risk Management. Community Health Network, and the relationships she created there, were carried close to her heart for the remainder of her life.

Cleo Ann thrived in her education, and she loved to learn. She was so proud, yet exceptionally humble, of her many accomplishments and accolades throughout her schooling and career. As editor of her high school’s yearbook and newspaper, vice president and later president of her class at The Methodist School of Nursing, and the first ever recipient of Community Health Network’s Nursing Excellence Lifetime Achievement Award, Cleo’s work ethic and continued ability to exhibit excellence in all aspects of her life rarely went unnoticed.

She was proud to be a nurse. “Once a nurse, always a nurse,” is what she often said, but there was no love she had greater than being a mother and grandmother. She truly lived her life to love and care for her family, and she was so dearly loved in return.

Cleo leaves behind her legacy in her 2 daughters, Krista (Todd) Vannatta & Regina “Gig” (Brian) Wilkes; granddaughter, Jordan “Jordie Mae” (Travis) Alderman; 2 great-grandsons, Tucker & Grey Alderman; aunt Jean (Ray) Shannon; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Visitation will be held at Flanner Buchanan – Oaklawn Memorial Gardens (Conner Suite) on Friday, September 23, 2022 from 11am-2pm with a funeral service beginning at 2pm. Burial to follow at Our Lady of Peace Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Community Health Network Foundation.