August 02, 2025
Local News

Burkardts pass the propane torch to Maryland company

Polo couple retires, sells company after 35 years in business

By BY VINDE

Burkardt’s supported a lot of causes in different ways, but perhaps the most visible was the big pink truck rumbling down the road. Owners Bill and Bev Burkardt had one of their delivery trucks painted pink to help raise cancer awareness. The company also donated money to cancer research. In 2014, the Burkardt's donated a cent for every gallon delivered, which came out to $8,106.13 for cancer research. Shown here in 2015 are General Manager Mike Faivre (left) and Bill Burkardt. (Submitted)

POLO – A Maryland company bought Burkardt’s LP Gas from its longtime owners, who are retiring after 35 years in business.

Burkardt’s LP Gas “is our first acquisition in the state of Illinois, and we are encouraged by the quality of the business that Bill and Bev [Burkardt] have built,” George Koloroutis, ThompsonGas chief of operations, said in a news release.

“This transaction will provide an immediate contribution to our business, and we are very proud to welcome their customers and employees to the ThompsonGas family.”

ThompsonGas is headquartered in Frederick, Maryland. The sale of the Burkardts’ propane company, based at 12420 W. Penn Corner Road was finalized May 10.

The couple founded Burkardt’s LP Gas on March 16, 1982. They had more than 6,500 residential, agricultural and commercial customers in eight counties, and they and their 19 employees delivered more than 8.7 million gallons of propane a year, they said on their website.

ThompsonGas also is a family-owned propane business, founded 71 years ago in Boonsboro, Maryland, according to thompsongas.com and its Facebook page.

With this acquisition, it now serves more than 100,000 customers in 18 states: Illinois, Maryland, Virginia, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Kentucky, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Florida, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Missouri, Washington, and Oregon.

The Burkardts, who have been married 59 years and have four daughters, have earned their retirement.

In addition to the propane company, Bill, 79, and Bev, 78, are well-known for their community service.

They also owned Edgewood Golf Course, 10484 W Edgewood Road in Polo, and before they closed the course this year, they allowed the Polo High School golf team to practice and hold meets there, free of charge, and regularly opened to sledders in the winter. They also sponsored blood drives there every year, giving everyone who donated a free round of golf.

They donated to the American Cancer Society, sponsored Relay for Life fundraisers, and supported St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, Shriners Hospital for Children and the Smile Train.

Through the William and Beverly Burkardt Family Foundation, they have awarded more than 40 scholarships to Polo High School seniors since 2012.

For their community support, they shared the 2016 Polo Citizen of the Year award.

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