John A. Burns

John Allen Burns, 86, a lifelong native of Woodcock Township, Crawford County, passed away in his sleep in the late evening hours of Saturday, April 12, 2014 at Meadville Medical Center.

Surrounded by his children, grandchildren, and his companion, Shirley Frazier, John displayed courage and strength as he battled many difficult illnesses in his final days.

He was born December 16, 1927 in Meadville, a son of Kenneth G. and Althea M. Emmel Burns.  He married Autumn Jean Bossard March 26, 1950 and she preceded him in death January 18, 1994.  John operated a dairy farm until his retirement.

In addition to his parents and wife, he was preceded in death by a sister-in-law, Edith Bossard; two sisters, Gene Perry and her husband Joseph and Dorothy Telliho and her husband John; a brother, K. Gerald Burns; and two brothers-in-law, Robert Dillaman and Edwin Orris.

John was a Veteran of World War II, serving in the U.S. Army stationed in the Philippines from 1946 to 1947.  He was a lifetime member of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 169, Venango, member of Saegertown American Legion Post 205, and member of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2006, Meadville.  He enjoyed hunting, fishing, playing cards, and draft horses but especially spending time with his family.

Survivors include four children, Sandra Boyd of Phoenix, AZ, Charles E. Burns and his wife Susan J. of Saegertown, Deborah Curry and her husband Walter of Saegertown, and Peggy Johnson and her husband Mark of Saegertown; five grandchildren, Jill Myers and her husband James of Atlanta, GA, Melissa Dawn Scouten and her husband Eric of Centerville, Craig Curry of Saegertown, Adam Curry and his wife Megan of Oak Ridge, NJ, and Matthew Johnson of Saegertown; two great-grandchildren, Elliott Scouten and Claire Louise Curry; three sisters, Jessie Stainbrook and her husband Wayne of Meadville, Donna Dillaman of Conneautville, and Patricia Orris of Waterford; a sister-in-law, Betty Burns of Meadville; his companion, Shirley Frazier of Saegertown; and several nieces and nephews.

The family invites you to join them in celebrating his life.  Calling hours are today from 3 to 5 and 7 to 9 p.m. at the Robert W. Waid Funeral Home, 581 Chestnut St., Meadville.

The funeral service will be Wednesday at 2:00 p.m. at the funeral home with the Rev. Alice McClymonds, Pastor of Pine Grove United Methodist Church, officiating.

Interment will be in Blooming Valley Cemetery with military honors provided by Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2006, Meadville.

Memorials may be made to the James D. Bowers Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 169, 20628 Gospel Hill Rd., Venango, PA 16440 or the Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758517, Topeka, KS 66675 or www.woundedwarrior.org.

Memories and condolences may be shared at www.waidfuneralhome.net.