Don “Donnie” Leo Burns, 57

Don “Donnie” Leo Burns, 57, Wilkesville, Ohio went home to be with his Lord Wednesday, January 22, 2014 in Holzer Medical Center, Gallipolis, Ohio. He was born May 12, 1956 in McArthur, Ohio, son of the late Robert Leslie and Juanita Violet (Jeffers) Burns. Reared on the family farm near Radcliff, Ohio, he graduated from Vinton County High School in 1975. Following his graduation, he was hired by the Vinton County Local School District as Head Custodian at Wilton Elementary School, Wilkesville, Ohio until he, the staff and children moved to the new Vinton County South Elementary in Hamden in 2007 and continued employment serving thirty-nine plus years. He was a member of the Athens Fellowship First Church of God, Athens since 1984, serving as a Sunday school teacher for the toddler-1st grade children; on the school calendar committee and was presently OAPSE Union District Treasurer

Don married his devoted wife, Jane Ann Tyler Denney Shank November 14, 1984 at South Shore, Kentucky, who survives. Don is also survived by seven brothers: Dean (Rosemary) Burns, Wilkesville; Charles (Joyce) Burns, Dick Burns, Bill (Wanda) Burns, Mike (Debbie) Burns and Jimmy (Sheri) Burns, all of Columbus, Ohio; and John “Butch” (Tommie Sue) Burns, Galloway, Ohio; four sisters: Sue Gammell, Columbus; Mildred (Edgar) Grace and Mary (John) Burns, Grove City, Ohio and Kathy (Paul) Spry, Fruitland Park, Florida;

In addition, he is survived by one sister-in-law, Janice Wedemeyer, Bidwell, Ohio and brother-in-law, Lee (Virginia) Tyler, Gallipolis; many nephews, nieces, great and great-great nieces and nephews; aunt: Minnie Mae Wetzel, and several cousins and friends whom he dearly loved.

Don was preceded in death by his parents, brother Larry Burns and brothers-in-law, Bob Gammell and Ray Wedemeyer.
He held a high respect and love for his church, school and community. From childhood, Don would ride his bicycle to the homes of the elderly to help them with daily chores. Over the years, he volunteered his time working at the annual Wilkesville Fish Fry and Wilkesville Bean Dinner and also at the Wilkesville Community Center.

A Celebration of Life will be held 1:00 PM Saturday, January 25, 2014 at the Vinton County South Elementary School, 38234 SR 93, Hamden, Ohio 45634 with David Ding and Pastor Steve Smith, officiating. Burial will follow in the Vinton Memorial Park. School buses will act as lead escort of the hearse, which will transit from Hamden to the former Wilton School in Wilkesville, making a “full circle” of Don’s life serving the Vinton County Schools. Friends and family may call at the school Saturday 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM. The McCoy-Moore Funeral Home, Vinton is honored to serve the Burns Family.

In lieu of flowers, Memorial Gifts may be sent to: Athens Fellowship First Church of God

67 Columbus Rd
Athens, Ohio 45701

Vinton County South PTO
c/o Jane Snyder
38234 SR 93
Hamden, Ohio 45634

Condolences may be sent to www.mccoymoore.com