John Michael Bookhardt, 60, of Orlando, Florida, died suddenly at his home, Saturday, September 5, 2009. Funeral services will be held 3 p.m., Sunday, September 13, at Trinity Lutheran Church of Elloree. Reverend Phillip Coggins will officiate. Burial in the Bookhardt Family Cemetery, Hwy. #6 Elloree. Arrangements handled by FOGLE HUNGERPILLER FUNERAL HOME.

Born on October 16, 1948, he was a very private intellectual. He was the only child of the late John E. and “Boo” Bookhardt, and was raised in Elloree S.C. After graduating from Elloree High School, he became a member of the Corps at the Citadel, graduating in 1970 and received his officer’s commission in the United States Air Force. He was a decorated instructor and fighter pilot for his 20 years in service, with more than 2,000 hours in the F-111A and F-111E, Aardvark. In 2001, he again joined the Air Force as a DOD Civilian Senior Military Analyst, Air Force Agency for Modeling and Simulation in Orlando, Fla.

Survivors are his wife of 39 years, “Z” Bookhardt (nee Zunelle Renfroe) of Orangeburg, S.C., now Orlando, Florida; two sons, Greg C. Bookhardt, Warner Robins, Georgia, and Kyle A. Bookhardt, USAF stationed in Europe; one grandchild, Alyssa Edwards, Bethlehem, Georgia.

Visitation will be 3:00 p.m., Saturday, September 12, at Fogle-Hungerpiller Funeral Home in Elloree. Refreshments will be served at Trinity Lutheran Church Fellowship Hall following the burial service. Memorials may be made to the American Heart Association, P.O. Box 5216, Glen Allen, Virginia 23058-5216; Bookhardt Family Cemetery, P.O. Box 140, Elloree, S.C. 29047; or to a charity of one’s choice. Visit our guestbook at http://www.postandcourier.com/deaths