It is with deep sorrow that I report the passing of a truly great man. Marissa's grandfather, a WWII vet and a very admirable man passed away the evening of Nov 25, 2006.

Obit from the Courierpress.com follows...

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John Richard "Dick" Burns

John Richard "Dick" Burns, 85, of Newburgh, passed away on Nov. 25, 2006, at Angel River Rehabilitation Center in Newburgh.

Throughout his life, Dick was an avid trumpet player and enjoyed tennis, golfing, swimming, and making furniture. He was an active member of St. Paul's Episcopal Church and had served on the Vestry. He also served on the board of directors for Warrick (Heritage) Federal Credit Union for years.

John was born on April 21, 1921, in Massena, N.Y., to John and Cora Burns. He was a 1938 graduate of Massena Central School. Following high school, he spent two years working at the Alcoa plant in Massena as an electrical trainee. In the fall of 1940, he entered Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio. In the summer of 1942, John enlisted in the U.S. Army and in the spring of 1943 was called to duty. He received his basic training as a medic in Niagara Falls, N.Y., and was reassigned to the 321st Medical Battalion of the 96th Infantry Division at Fort Lewis, Wash. His unit served bravely on the Pacific Front during World War II, notably in Leyte, Okinawa, and the Philippines. He was awarded the Bronze Star for valor and the Purple Heart with one oak leaf cluster for two separate injuries received in the line of duty. Burns returned home and was discharged on Jan. 8, 1946.

On April 27, 1946, he married Madelaine Ruth White, and they moved back to Columbus, Ohio, where he continued his studies at Ohio State and graduated in June 1949. They returned to Norwood, N.Y., and he resumed employment at the Alcoa plant in Massena and played the trumpet in the Norwood Firemen's Band. He transferred to Alcoa, Warrick Operations in Newburgh, Ind., in the fall of 1967. He retired in 1992 after 43 years with Alcoa. During his final years with Alcoa, he had his broker's license in real estate and handled the transfer and relocation of salaried personnel between various Alcoa plants.

He is survived by his very loving wife and best friend of 60 years, Madelaine and his brother, Joseph Burns and his wife, Phyllis of Southern Pines, N.C. He was the father of six children, three boys and three girls. He was predeceased by two daughters, Mary Catherine Burns and Nancy Jean Paxton.

He is survived by his daughter, Patricia and her husband, Dan, of Newburgh; his son, John Jr. and his wife, Carol, of Eugene, Ore.; his son, Stephen and his wife, Linda, of Indianapolis; and his son, Thomas and his wife, Patricia, of Los Angeles, Calif. He is also survived by seven adoring grandchildren and four great-grandchildren, Vaughn Paxton, his wife, Andrea, and their two children, Lauren and Nathan, of Fishers, Ind., Emily Paxton of Boston, Mass., Heather Redman, her husband, Ric, and their daughter, Jing, of Seattle, Wash., Jarrod Burns, his wife, BreAnn, and their son, Dillon, of Indianapolis, Ashleigh Burns of Indianapolis, and Marissa and Ryan Pelky of Newburgh. He is also survived by countless nieces and nephews and their families.

Friends may pay their respects to the family at Alexander Funeral Home East from 3 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2006. The memorial service will be held at St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 301 S.E. First St., Evansville, on Wednesday, Nov. 29, 2006, at 1:30 p.m., with internment at Riverside Cemetery in Norwood. The Rev. Richard Godbold will be officiating. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that contributions be made to the St. Paul's Van Ministry Fund.

The family would like to thank the wonderful staff members of the 200 unit at Angel River Rehabilitation Center in Newburgh and the doctors and nurses at Deaconess Gateway Hospital for their loving support and professional care. Condolences may b made online at www.mem.com. Arrangements by Alexander East Chapel, 2115 Lincoln Ave.
Published in the Courier Press on 11/27/2006.