Carroll M. Burns, age 89, of Mount Gilead, died peacefully Monday morning, October 22, 2012, at the Woodside Village Care Center following a two year battle after suffering a stroke.
On December 16, 1922, Carroll was born in Morrow County, Ohio, the son of the late James and Ethel (Karr) Hillis. He was raised by Raymond and Mabel (Wells) Burns from the time he was 9 years old.
He was raised in the Chesterville area, where he graduated from Chesterville High School in the Class of 1941.
Shortly following his graduation, Carroll enlisted in the U.S. Army to help his fellow countrymen in the fight of World War II. He earned several medals and ribbons for his time in the American, European-African-Middle Eastern Theater and Asiatic –Pacific Theaters.
Upon his honorable discharge, Carroll returned home to Morrow County, where he was set up on a blind date with a friend and two young women, one of them being Janet Fissell, whom he quickly took a liking to. Soon thereafter they were married on October 19, 1947, in the parsonage at the Kirkpatrick United Methodist Church by Rev. Bosler. They have cherished their 65 wonderful years of marriage together.
For over 20 years, Carroll worked helping to build large machinery at the H.P.M. Corporation in Mount Gilead. Later, he transferred to the Marion Power Shovel, where he worked as an assembler for eleven years, until his retirement in 1984.
A man of faith, Carroll was a member of the Edison United Methodist Church. He also was a member of the American Legion Post 97 in Cardington.
Good with his hands, Carroll could make or fix just about anything. He especially enjoyed working on engines and working with wood, making gifts for his wife and children.
With a love for traveling, Carroll and Janet took as many bus trips as they could with the Seniors on Center in Mount Gilead and First Knox Bank to places like Branson, Missouri. They also loved spending time in their camper as a V.I.P. at the State Lakes Campgrounds in Mount Gilead and at Lake Erie.
A competitive card and board game player, Carroll loved playing these games with his family and friends, but was well known for being a sore loser if things weren’t going his way.
An ornery fellow, Carroll was a fun loving “kidder” who truly had his own unique sense of humor.
He will be dearly missed by his wife, Janet Burns of Mount Gilead; four children: Sheila (John) Pagani of Galion, Carroll “Gene” (Margie) Burns of Johnsville, Vicky (Deo) Ault of Caledonia, and Beverly (Bud) High of Cardington; eleven grandchildren: Michelle (Kevin) Maley, Lisa Zeisler (Marty Kohls), Tia Pagani (Cindy Marvin), Ginger (Mike) Schwaigert, Jeremy (Carrie) Burns, Kellie (Josh) Evans, Melissa (Jason) Radel, Andrea Ault, Shanna (David) Smith, Cory High, and Ryan (Darci) High; 25 great-grandchildren and 1 great-great-grandchild with more on the way; two step grandchildren, Rob and Roxy Tiller; one step great grandson; a sister, Alberta Steele of Galion; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Including his parents, Carroll was preceded in death by his granddaughter, Kristin Burns; and by five brothers and three sisters.
Services honoring Carroll’s life will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, October 26, 2012, at Rivercliff Cemetery in Mount Gilead, with Pastor Matt Skelton officiating. Military honors will also be provided by the V.F.W. Post 8054 and AmVets Post 87.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Edison United Methodist Church, 335 S. Boundary St., Edison, OH 43320.
Snyder Funeral Homes of Mount Gilead is honored to have been chosen to serve Carroll’s family and your private condolences may be expressed to them online by visiting www.snyderfuneralhomes.com.
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