Image

Joe A. Burns

Member_146675[1]Joe A. Burns, age 78, of New Bethlehem, passed away early Monday morning, May 18, 2015 at the Serenity House in Shippenville after a long battle with Parkinson’s.

Born June 9, 1936 in Sligo, he was a son of the late Fred L. and June McCall Burns. He was a graduate of the Sligo High School and Westminster College, where he earned a degree in Business Administration.

On July 29, 1960 in the United Methodist Church in Rimersburg, he married the former Catherine “Katy” Wynkoop and she survives.

Mr. Burns was a veteran of the United States Army, serving during the Vietnam era.

He joined with his father and later his brother-in-law, David A. Rimer, creating Fred L. Burns, Inc. in 1970. He spent the next forty years engaged in the operation and development of a family construction business, specializing in institutional construction for many local and regional government projects. He assumed the position of President in 1970. One of his greatest joys was working side by side with his sons and he spent his retirement years assisting and counseling his oldest son, Joe, who operates the business today.

Mr. Burns was a lifetime member of the Presbyterian Church and was a member of the New Bethlehem Presbyterian Church, where he served as Elder, Trustee and on numerous other committees. He also served his community as the President of the New Bethlehem Borough Council for six years and served as a member of the Clarion County Housing Authority. He was a past member of the New Bethlehem Lions Club and the Masonic Lodge #522 of New Bethlehem.

In his retirement he became an avid reader. But, above all, his family is what he valued most.

Survivors include his wife, Katy and their three sons: Joe Burns, Jr. and his wife, Jodi, of Shippenville; Mark A. Burns and his wife, Gerri, of Fredericksburg, Virginia and Fred L. Burns and his wife, Jennifer, of Pittsburgh; 11 grandchildren: Chloe, Karly, Ellie, Madison, Olivia, Jacob, Mackenzie, Mallory, Korrin, Macy and Maile.

He is also survived by two sisters: Sue Rimer of Pittsburgh and Beth Smathers and her husband, Bill, of Clarion; two brothers-in-law: John Beary of Columbiana, Ohio and Bob Wynkoop and his wife, Sherry along with numerous nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, Dr. Max Burns and a sister-in-law, Nancy Beary.
Family and friends will be received from 6-8 p.m. Wednesday, May 20, 2015, 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Thursday, May 21, 2015 at the Rupert Funeral Home and Cremation Service Chapel at 233 Penn Street, New Bethlehem and from 10 to 11 a. m. Friday, May 22, 2015 at the New Bethlehem Presbyterian Church, 403 Penn Street, New Bethlehem.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday in the church with Reverend Cyndi Dixon, pastor of the church, officiating.
Military honors will be accorded at the church following the service by the Walter W. Craig American Legion Post #354 of New Bethlehem.

Interment will take place in the Sligo Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be given in the name of Joe A. Burns to the National Parkinson Foundation, Gift Processing Center, P.O. Box 5018, Hagerstown, MD 21741-5018 or the Clarion/Forest VNA “Serenity House”, 271 Perkins Road, Clarion, PA 16214.

Online condolences may be sent to Joe’s family at www.rupertfuneralhomes.com.

Recent Articles

Community Partner