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Born: December 2, 1941
Died: January 2, 2020
John "Butch" Burns, 78, of Ottawa, IL, died Thursday, January 2nd, 2020 at OSF St. Francis Medical Center in Peoria, IL with his family by his side. A memorial mass will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, January 11th at St. Francis of Assisi Church in Ottawa, IL with Reverend David Kipfer, pastor of the Ottawa Catholic Parishes, officiating. A visitation will be held on Friday, January 10th from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Mueller Funeral Home in Ottawa, IL with liturgical prayers at 3:30 p.m. with the Knights of Columbus in attendance.
Butch was born on December 2nd, 1941 in Moline, IL to Albert John and Mary Lorraine (McAndrew) Burns. He attended St. Francis Grade School, Marquette High School, and Illinois Valley Community College. Butch co-owned Burns Machine Company, a company founded by his grandfather, 102 years ago; Butch held various positions, working over sixty years for the family owned and operated company. Butch co-owned Pantrol, INC and Industrial Power Control, both family owned and operate companies, established via business growth from Burns Machine Company and the hard work and dedication of Butch and the Burns Family. Butch married Sandra Lee Ogden on April 18th, 1964 at St. Francis of Assisi Church in Ottawa, IL. Butch and Sandra are the proud parents to two children, Joanna Saver and Todd Burns and celebrated fifty-five years of marriage in 2019.
Butch was active in his faith, taking pride in his membership with St. Columba Church and the 4th Degree Knights of Columbus. He held a private pilot's license and was a Lieutenant Colonel in the Civil Air Patrol from 1981 to 1998. Butch loved his community and was an active community member with his presence in countless parades, aiding in local political campaigns, involvement with the chambers of commerce, active membership with the Utica Fireside White Sox Club, served on The La Salle County Sheriff's Merit Board, and was elected South Ottawa Township Supervisor, serving his second term at the time of his death.
Butch's legacy will be his strong work ethic and dedication to Burns Machine company and his deep love for his family and God. He will also be remembered for his love of three ring binders and his famous life motto, "We will just do it the easy way." Butch would want us to celebrate his life and the abundance it granted him and his family, a celebratory cheer to Butch's life with Butch's own words, "Here's to us and...".
Butch is survived by his wife, Sandy Burns, one daughter, Joanne (Lloyd) Sarver of Ottawa, IL, one son, Todd (Lisa) Burns of Ottawa, IL, one granddaughter, Brittni (Clayton) Burns Timmerman of Rochester, MN, three grandsons, Kyle (Tayler) Burns, Von Sarver, and Bryer Sarver, all of Ottawa, IL, four great-grandchildren, Zoe Timmerman, Neela Timmerman, Zavontay Timmerman, and Milyn Timmerman, all of Rochester, MN, and two fury-friends, Murphy Burns and Miggy Burns, both of Ottawa, IL.
Butch is proceeded in death by his parents, Albert and Lorraine Burns, of Ottawa, IL and one fury-friend, Maggie Timmerman of Rochester, MN.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Marquette Academy or St. Columba Church.
You may sign the online guest book and share remembrances at www.muellerfh.com. Mueller Funeral Home and Crematory is located at 800 First Avenue, Ottawa, IL 61350; (815) 434-4433.