Thomas C. Strickland & Sons Funeral Homes – West Chatham Chapel
912-748-2444
Fax 912-748-4112

Savannah - Harold Lafayette Burgstiner, 87, also known as "H.L." and "Pepa" of Savannah, GA, went to his eternal home in Heaven on November 8, 2016. He passed surrounded by his family under the care of hospice due to complications of heart disease.
He is survived by his loving wife of 67 years, Mildred Burgstiner; son, Danny (Dawn); daughters, Beverly (Steve) O'Connell, Andrea (Jack) Herrington, Loren Charlene (Brad) Hudson; 11 grandchildren; 7 great-grandchildren; sibling, Myrtis Shearouse; sister-in-law, Mable Hodge; and numerous nephews, nieces, and good friends.
H.L. was born to Lester and Esther Burgstiner. He had five brothers and four sisters. He moved to Savannah after high school, and was married on June 12, 1949 at Jerusalem Lutheran Church to Mildred Seckinger.
H.L. was a distinguished employee of Life of Georgia Insurance Company for 30 years. He earned 15 annual awards, 13 for the President's Club and two for the Honor's Club Conventions. These awards came with paid trips to all parts of the United States and several foreign countries. He earned the National Sales Achievement Award for several years, and was also a member of Life Underwriters Association.
His community service included: Lifetime Member Georgia Salzburger Society, Advisory Board Member Department of Transportation for Chatham County, and President/Vice-President Grove Hill Subdivision Homeowners Association.
His hobbies included: fishing, gardening, handyman, and carpentry, but loved fishing the best.
H.L. was a Christian and his joy was to serve the Lord through his church. He was one of the 16 founding members of Risen Savior Lutheran Church (RSLC). He served on RSLC Board of Elders for 10 years and was elected Chief Elder and President for all 10 years. One of his main achievements as Chief Elder was being part of the planning committee for building RSLC.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Lester and Esther Burgstiner; brothers, Clinton, Clyde, Douglas, Elarbee and Alvin; sisters, Lavinia, Kathleen and Juanita.
A special thank you to THA Hospice Group and especially to HL's nurse's, Donna (primary) and Betsy; volunteer, Barbara and many others.
Visitation: 6-8 p.m. on Thursday at Thomas C. Strickland and Sons Funeral Home, 901 Hwy 80 West, Pooler, GA.
Christian Service: 10 a.m. on Friday at Risen Savior Lutheran Church, 1755 Quacco Road, Pooler, GA.
Pastor Brian Pechman officiating, pallbearers will be grandsons, Jason Burgstiner, Dustin Hudson, Lance Burgstiner, Shae Hudson; nephews, Al Hodge, Jr. and Elarbee Burgstiner.
Honorary pallbearers are Elders of RSLC, Seavy O'Neal, Mike Dienes, Brad Rife, Carl Fenstermaker, and Mel Hepner and a close friend, Arnie Schmidt.
Christian Burial Service: Ebenezer Cemetery at Jerusalem Lutheran Church, Rincon, GA.
Remembrances: Risen Savior Lutheran Church.

Thomas C. Strickland & Sons Funeral Homes
West Chatham Chapel
901 W. Hwy 80
Pooler, GA 31322
912-748-2444