Charles Blaine Burns' Obituary
Charles “Chuck” B. Burns, 74, of Decatur left this earthly world to unite for eternity with the Lord and Savoir in Glory Monday August 08, 2005 in Aspen Ridge Nursing Care Center after a long battle of cancer, with his wife Anita and daughter Angela by his side.
Mass of Christian Burial will be 10 am Thursday August 11, 2005 in Saint Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church, where Father James O’Shea will celebrate; visitation will be 6-8 Wednesday in Moran & Goebel Funeral Home, where prayers will be recited at 5pm. Burial will be in Macon County Memorial Park, where Military Rites will be conducted by the Macon County Honor Guard. May view the online obituary and send condolences to the Burns family at: www.moranandgoebel.com
Chuck was born May 01, 1931 in Decatur the eldest son of Elmer and Generva Turntine Burns. He married Anita Will on April 28, 1984 in Decatur; they had two children, a son; Christopher Will Burns of Decatur and a daughter; Theresa Elaine Burns also of Decatur.
He married June Lowe Wray in 1954, they had five children; Carol Gibbons of University City, MO, Robyn Dennis Ballweg of McAllen, TX; Charles Rhonda Burns of Dalton City, Susie Pastor Mark Smith of Decatur and Angela Lake of Decatur. He had seven grandchildren; John Gibbons of Los Angeles, CA, Damon Ballweg of Corpus Christi, TX, Lyndsey Burns of Dalton City, Tonya Burns of Mount Zion, Corina, Jacob and Zachary Smith of Decatur.
He is also survived by his sisters; Joyce Van Meter Jim of Clear Water, FL, Kay Goodman Rex of Decatur, Diane Putnam Jim of Tallahassee, FL, Judy Zapralka of Palms River, NJ and sisters-in-law, Theresa Miller Joe of Millersport, OH, Karla Makowicz Mike of Oklahoma City, OK, Margie Toca Paul of Normal, Patsy Fryman John of Danvers, Janet Ervin Tim of Normal, Joanne Durflinger Greg of Bloomington, Judy Blome Gary of Decatur and brother & sister in law Kevin and Beth Will . Mother-in-law Elvira Will of Decatur and several nieces, nephews and other family.
Charles attended Decatur High School and joined the Army in 1948. He served his country during the Korean Conflict. He was a member of Saint Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church. He worked and retired as a City Bus Driver for the City of Decatur after 22 years of service. He was past president of the Transit Union #859. He was a golden glove Boxer in 1955 in Peoria. He loved sports and played and coached many softball, baseball and basketball teams his whole life and he also enjoyed bowling. He enjoyed building bird houses which he would give away to family and friends. His neighborhood is full of beautiful homes for several wild life birds.
He volunteered at Saint James School going on fieldtrips and helping with school events and as auxiliary police officer.
He never met a stranger and will be truly missed by those that knew him. He made people laugh with his humor and always had a song in his heart.
The family of Chuck would like to thank the many family members, neighbors and friends for their loving support and kindness through his rough time.
Chuck was preceded in death by his parents, three brothers; Don, Larry and John, one nephew and his father-in-law, Virgil Will.
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