Dr. James “Mac” Burns, age 80, peacefully continued his life’s journey on Aug. 4, 2004, at his log home in Spring Green, WI. He was born Dec. 27, 1923 in Kankakee, IL, the son of James T. and Annie Laurie Gernon Burns. He was a Veteran of the 1st Marine Div. of WWII. He graduated from St. Ambrose College and the Univ. of Loyola Dental School. Married Patricia J. Sullivan on June 21, 1952. He practiced dentistry in Elmhurst and was Assistant Professor at Loyola Dental School. Survivors include his wife, Patricia, nee Sullivan; son, James (Deborah) Burns; daughters, Karen (Dennis) Tynan, Mary Ellen (Patrick) McCluskey and Susanne (Paul) Monsen; grandchildren, Dennis Tynan, Tim Burns, Kate Tynan, Kyle Tynan, Kaya Monsen and Lyndsay Monsen; sister, Anne (Ray) Kaineg; brothers, John (Reva) Burns, Dr. Deland (Diana) Burns, Dr. Bob (Margaret) Burns, Dr. Bill (Nancy) Burns and Judge Patrick (June) Burns; brother-in-law, Bill Fisher; sisters-in-law, Mary Burns, Violet Hall and Bernadine Burns. He is preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Catherine Brinkman and Joanne Fisher; and brother, Tom. Mac had a special love for animals. He spent his days talking about this love and enjoying them, especially his labradors, Ben, Molly and Sam. Funeral Mass will be at St. Teresa Church, 333 St. Joseph Ave., Kankakee, on Monday, Aug. 9 at 10:30 a.m. Visitation will be at Clancy-Gernon Funeral Homes, 295 Main St. NW, Bourbonnais, on Sunday, Aug. 8 from 2 to 6 p.m. In lieu of flowers, a memorial to an animal shelter in Mac’s name is appreciated. Information, 815-932-1214 .
