Obituary of Phil Burns

Phil Thomas Burns was born in Cheboygan, Michigan on October 27, 1941. He was one of eleven children born from the union of the late Charles and Caroline (Clear) Burns. As a boy, the family moved to Monroe. He enlisted in the United States Marine Corp serving his country honorably. Phil married the love of his life, the former Helen Russeau, on July 29, 1966 in Monroe. From this union would come the birth of two daughters: Annette and Tiffannea. For more than thirty years, Phil supported his family as a construction laborer. He was employed by Union Local 499. Phil first and foremost was a family man. Spending time with his family and friends was most important to him. Phil especially enjoyed camping and vacationing with them. A real people person, Phil loved to engage with everyone he met. He captured their attention with his gift of gab and first-rate joke telling. Phil was an avid fisherman and enjoyed doing yard work. He was a member of the American Legion 4018 and the Marine Corp League. Phil Thomas Burns, age 72 of Monroe, passed away Wednesday, March 12, 2014 at the John D. Dingell VA Medical Center in Detroit. His passing was preceded by his parents. To cherish his memory Phil leaves his wife of forty-seven years: Helen of Monroe; two daughters: Annette (Danny) Rathke of Newport and Tiffannea (Timothy) Haring of LaSalle; siblings: Viola Holt of Northern Michigan, Richard (Brenda) Burns of Georgia, Dorothy Burkey of Monroe, Gerald (Bonnie) Burns of Grand Rapids, Jack (Connie) Burns of LaSalle, Susan Parriet, Robert (Jean) Burns, Ester Burns, Alice Burns, and Ronnie Burns, all of Monroe; five grandchildren: Kerrin Rathke, Samantha Rathke, Paige Rathke, Alayna Haring, and Kayce Haring; two great-grandchildren: Jacklyn and Thomas. Friends may gather from 11:00am-3:00pm Sunday, March 16, 2014 at Merkle Funeral Service, South Monroe (formerly Bennett Funeral Services) 14567 South Dixie Highway (734) 241-7070. Military honors will be presented at 3:00pm under the auspices of Monroe Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1138. A Celebration of His Life will follow at 3:00pm also at Merkle's with Reverend Roy Southerland pastor of Monroe Missionary Baptist Church officiating. Cremation has taken place through Southern Michigan Services in Livonia, Michigan. Online guests may leave words of inspiration and comfort, send a floral arrangement, share a photo, or make a donation by visiting www.merklefs.com and then selecting the Online Tributes page.