Obit: Burns, John L. (1914 - 2009)

 
Contact: Stan

Surnames: Burns, Smith, Thibault, Peterson, Adams, Burke, Dierks, Koch, Zvolena, Glavin, Lascaris, Meuret, Golden, Gonering

----Source: Marshfield News Herald, Marshfield, Wood Co., WI, Sat. 9 May 2009

Burns, John L. (29 Aug. 1914 - 7 May 2009)

John L. "Jack" Burns Jr., M.D., of Marshfield, loving husband of the late H. Pauline (Smith) Burns, father of five children, grandfather of six and great-grandfather of one, passed away on May 7, 2009, at the age of 94 at Saint Joseph's Hospital in Marshfield. He was born on Aug. 29, 1914, in Lyons, N.Y., at his maternal ancestral home, now a New York State registered historical home.

Raised in Syracuse, N.Y., attended Most Holy Rosary Grade and High Schools, graduating in 1933. He then attended St. Bonaventure College in St. Bonaventure, N.Y., graduating in 1937 with a bachelor of science degree. John then went on to graduate school at Marquette Medical School, graduating in 1942, which included one year of internship at Sisters of Charity Hospital in Buffalo, N.Y.

John "Jack" entered the Army Air Corps in 1942, shortly after Pearl Harbor. Dr. Burns was admitted to Flight Surgeon School at Randolph Field, Texas. He was then transferred to the 8th Air Force in England and France, serving until his discharge in 1946. Major Burns is recipient of six bronze battle stars on his European Ribbon. After the European Conflict, Major Burns returned to the USA with orders to continue to the Pacific Theater of Operation. He was in Tacoma, Wash., within days of shipping out when the Japanese surrendered. Major Burns was one of the first of four doctors to be called in Wisconsin during the Korean Conflict.

After his military service in 1946, Dr. Burns practiced general medicine with his brother-in-law, Dr. Ed Thibault in Chittenango, N.Y. He then returned to the Milwaukee area to further study anesthesiology and surgery and performed his residency training until 1948. In 1951, Dr. Burns was contacted by the Marshfield Clinic and started here in July 1951 as the 15th physician on staff. Dr. Burns was the first and only anesthesiologist in the Marshfield area until Dr. Donald Peterson arrived in 1959. Dr. Burns through the years trained numerous nurse anesthetists. He would like to acknowledge the support and friendship given him by nurse anesthetist and Marine veteran, Dr. Dan Adams. Dr. Burns retired from the clinic in 1981.

During Dr. Burns' 30-year tenure at Marshfield Clinic, he was the first in the area to introduce inhalation therapy. Dr. Burns was well known for being the first to introduce diagnostic and therapeutic nerve blocks. He led in the treatment of intubation in patients with arthritic conditions with the aid of intravenous catheters.

John "Jack" was the son of John L. and Marie F. (Burke) Burns Sr. He was raised with three brothers and two sisters. He married his childhood sweetheart, H. Pauline Smith, in September of 1942. Together they raised four sons and one daughter, all surviving: Pauline "Polly" and Duane Dierks of Sioux Falls, S.D., John Burns III of St. Pete Beach, Fla., Martin Burns of Marshfield, Robert and Susan (Koch) Burns of De Pere, and Daniel and Cynthia (Zvolena) Burns of Marshfield.

He is further survived by his six grandchildren: Dana (Clint Berg), John IV, James, Michael (Jessica), Patrick and Thomas; and his great-granddaughter, Tisha. Also surviving are his two sisters, Marge Glavin and Mary Lascaris; and his sister-in-law, Carol Smith, all from Syracuse, N.Y.

He was preceded in death by his parents; three brothers, Dr. Robert Burns, William Burns Ph.D., and Dr. Thomas Burns and his wife, H. Pauline Burns.

The family would like to extend sincere appreciation to the staff of Marshfield Clinic, Saint Joseph's Hospital and Angelus Retirement Community for their loving care of our dad.

Memorials may be given as an expression of sympathy to: Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church, American Red Cross and the Marshfield Clinic Research Foundation.

A Mass of Christian burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Mon., May 11, 2009, at Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church, with the Rev. Don Meuret officiating. Suzanne Golden will be the organist and pianist along with Michael Gonering as the vocalist. Burial will be in Gate of Heaven Cemetery, Marshfield, with his grandchildren serving as the pallbearers. Military rites will be conducted at the cemetery by the American Legion Post 54 of Marshfield.

Visitation will be from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Sun. at Rembs' Funeral Home (300 S. Oak Ave. - Marshfield, WI) and again on Mon. at the church from 9:30 a.m. until time of the services. There will be a combined rosary service at 6:30 p.m. Sun. at Rembs' Funeral Home (300 S. Oak Ave. - Marshfield, WI) by Our Lady of Peace Parish and the Knights of Columbus.