John “Butch” Burns

John Allen “Butch” Burns, 78, of Ottawa, died Jan. 2, 2020, in St. Francis Medical Center, Peoria, with his family by his side.

A memorial Mass will be at 11 a.m. Satur-day in St. Francis of Assisi Church, Ottawa, with the Rev. David Kipfer, pastor of the Ottawa Catholic Parishes, officiating.

Visitation will be 4-7 p.m. Friday in Mueller Funeral Home, Ottawa, with liturgical prayers at 3:30 p.m. with the Knights of Columbus in attendance.

Butch was born Dec. 2, 1941, in Moline 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 Co., a company founded by his grandfather, 102 years ago; Butch held various positions, working over 60 years for the family-owned and operated company. Butch co-owned Pantrol, Inc. and Industrial Power Control, both family-owned and operated companies, established via business growth from Burns Machine Co. and the hard work and dedication of Butch and the Burns Family. Butch married Sandra Lee Ogden on April 18, 1964, at St. Francis of Assisi Church, Ottawa. Butch and Sandra are the proud parents to two children, Joanna Saver and Todd Burns and celebrated 55 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 Co. 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; one son, Todd (Lisa) Burns of Ottawa; one granddaughter, Brittni (Clayton) Burns Timmerman of Rochester, Minn.; three grandsons, Kyle (Tayler) Burns, Von Sarver and Bryer Sarver, all of Ottawa; four great-grandchildren, Zoe Timmerman, Neela Timmerman, Zavontay Timmerman and Milyn Timmerman, all of Rochester, Minn.; and two furry-friends, Murphy Burns and Miggy Burns, both of Ottawa.

Butch was preceded in death by one furry-friend, Maggie Timmerman of Rochester, Minn.

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.