Burns, J. J. Dr. 1882 - 1921

BURNS, RINKERT, CLINTON

Posted By: Reid R. Johnson (email)
Date: 1/5/2018 at 11:46:14

Elkader Register, Thur., 3 Feb. 1921. Volga City News Column.

J. J. Burns departed this life Friday afternoon. Although all knew he could not live it was sad when the end came. He was sick three weeks and all thought with his energy he would throw it off and recover but it was not to be. He will be greatly missed in the town as he always took an active part in affairs of the town. The bereaved family have the sympathy of the entire community in their sad affliction.

Dr. J. J. Burns, son of Mr. and Mrs. John Burns, was born at Volga on November 29th, 1882, and died January 28th, 1921, at the age of thirty-eight years, one month and twenty-nine days.

He graduated from the Volga City High School in 1901 and in 1904 in dental surgery from the State University at Iowa City, since which time he has been practicing dentistry here. Being exceptionally fond of all athletics, especially baseball, he won a place on the University baseball team while a student at the State University.

Deceased was united in marriage to Grace Rinkert, June 10th, 1914, and to this union two children were born, Bernice, aged five years, and William, aged one year and eleven months, who together with the mother mourn the death of a true husband and kind father.

Dr. Burns was a devout Catholic, dying fortified by the rights of the Catholic Church. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus, Independent Order of Elks, Modern Woodmen and Brotherhood of American Yeomen.

At the time of his death he was filling the position of Town Mayor, Vice-President of bank and a member of the school board.

Besides his wife and children, he leaves to mourn his early departure, his mother, Mrs. John Burns; two sisters, Mrs. Addie Clinton, of Littleport; Miss Stella Burns; three brothers, M. E. Burns, of Green Island; William F. Burns, of Glendive, Mont.; and Steve Burns, of Volga. One brother, Dan, preceded him in death by two months and eleven days.

Funeral services were conducted by Father Hetherington at Sacred Heart Church and burial was made in the Catholic cemetery. The pallbearers were: E. F. Sorg, Karl Konzen, Albert Meyers, John Conboy, Gordon White and Frank Phillips.

Those from out of town who attended the funeral were: Maurice Burns of Oelwein; John and Dan Sullivan of Dubuque; Mr. and Mrs. M. E. Burns and daughters, Enid and Cleo, of Green Island; W. F. Burns of Glendive, Mont.; Miss Marie Sullivan of Fayette; and Mrs. George Bachtell of Elkader.