He was born on July 5, 1933 in Springfield, the son of the late Albert and Mary (Stephens) Burns. He married Frances J. McCarthy, the mother of his 5 children, and they were married from 1951 to 1965. He later married Mary Virginia McCall Appleby on January 9, 1966 in Springfield and she preceded him in death on June 3, 2024.
Ron served in the U.S. Army. He retired from the Springfield School District working as a night foreman. Prior to that he had worked for Bell Telephone in Wood River, IL and he had owned and operated Ron Burns Insurance Company in Springfield. Ron was also a member of West Side Christian Church, the Jaycees in Wood River and the Moose Club.
He is survived by 2 children, David D. (wife Debbie) Burns of Albuquerque, NM and Mari Beth (Burns) Crayne of Riverton, IL; 4 stepchildren, Charlie Burkam of Amsterdam, Sheri Appleby of Springfield, Debbi Appleby of The Villages, FL, and Lori (husband Larry) Appleby Chilton of Plantersville, TX; 22 grandchildren; and 30 great-grandchildren.
Besides his parents and his wife, he is preceded in death by 2 sons, John A. Burns and Matthew T. Burns, a daughter Cathy Sue (Burns) Shanks and a stepson Robert D. Appleby.
Arrangements are under the direction of Bisch and Son Funeral Home, Springfield. A graveside funeral service will be held on Saturday, September 21, 2024 at 1 pm at Roselawn Memorial Park, Springfield.
Memorials may be made to Tunnel to Towers, Wounded Warrior Project, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, or Shriner’s Children’s Hospital.
