John Edward Burns

Senior Chief Petty Officer Johnny Burns, U.S. Navy, Ret., 79, died peacefully in his home on Thursday, June 14, 2007, surrounded by his family. Senior Chief Burns was a Biloxi native who retired from the Navy in 1971 after 24 years of service. He then went on to join the United States Postal Service, where he was active in the American Postal Workers Union. After his retirement from the USPS in 1990, Johnny Burns regularly volunteered his technical skills in the charitable service of family, friends and neighbors. Mr. Burns also gave to the Biloxi community as a whole by contributing to the building of four homes for Habitat for Humanity. A 1947 graduate of Notre Dame High School, he was a parishioner at Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church in Biloxi. He also belonged to the VFW and the American Legion and was particularly proud of his membership in the Biloxi Elks, B.P.O.E. 606 and the Refrigeration Services Engineering Society. Mr. Burns was preceded in death by his father and mother, Paul E. Burns and Kathryn E. Collins Burns, his brother, Paul Burns, and sisters, Betty Lightsey, Katherine Mitchell and Peggy Baker. He is survived by his loving wife of 57 years, Dolores Claire Burns. He also leaves behind his son, Paul Warren Burns and his daughters Christine Ann Turner, Johneen Elizabeth Burns and Laureen Marie de Leeuw. Survivors also include his grandchildren, Matthew McLaurin Turner, Nathan Scott Turner, Lani Heath and Michael Brandon Burns, his great-grandchildren, Laurin Elizabeth Turner, Maya Heath, Lelia Heath and Luke Daniel Turner and his sons-in-law, John Larry Turner and Hans Peter de Leeuw. Visitation will take place 6 until 9 p.m. on Monday, June 18, 2007 at Bradford O’Keefe Funeral Home, Pass Road, in Biloxi. A Mass of Christian Burial will be said at 11 a.m., Tuesday, June 19, 2007 at Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church. Senior Chief Burns will be interred in the Biloxi National Cemetery with full military honors. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that contributions be made to Our Lady of Fatima St. Vincent de Paul Society, 314 Jim Money Road, Biloxi, MS 39531. The family would like to extend their sincere appreciation to the staff of Trinity Hospice, Father Paddy and Father Joe for their thoughtfulness and caring