Arthur Burns

Arthur Burns gladly shared his time, energy and love with the world. His quiet self-assurance provided his loved ones with a sense of security, as did his wise counsel. While his quick wit and calm demeanor put others at ease and his ready smile won him many friends. Arthur understood the value of hard work and knew how to persevere through difficult circumstances. Family was his first priority, and he showed it by providing faithfully for them and sharing much love and laughter.

Times were hard in the United States in 1931, unemployment rates were high, and spirits were low as many American families tried to stretch their dollars in order to survive the Great Depression. Despite the challenges of the time, John and Matilda (Klein) Burns of Grand Rapids, Michigan had something wonderful to focus on, the birth of their son, Arthur Joseph, on February 18, 1931.

Arthur grew up on the northwest side of Grand Rapids on First and Pine with his five sisters and one brother. To support their family, Arthur’s father worked as a Steam Fitter, and his mother used to be a teacher before he and his siblings arrived. Arthur was a hard worker even from his earliest moments. He always had a job of some kind, and gave all his earnings to his mother. Arthur was a paperboy, and remembers the “extra edition” portions and the day Pearl Harbor was featured in it after the bombing. At the age of 12, Arthur was working at a gas station, and one day after filling up a car, he stepped next to a space heater and caught on fire. He had severe burns on his neck that needed skin grafts.

Arthur’s family was members of the St. James Catholic Church, and this strong Catholic upbringing would always be an important part of his life. Additionally, Arthur attended St. James Catholic Elementary School and graduated from Catholic Central High in 1949. He then followed the same patriotic calling of other young men of the time, and enlisted in the U.S. Marines with some of his buddies. Arthur was stationed stateside, and was a clerk for the company store at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina. Upon his honorable discharge, he returned home for a short time before enrolling in classes at Lincoln School of Welding in Ohio. After some time, Arthur went to work as a sprinkler head fitter for a local company named Phoenix, however, he was on the road too much, which led him to pursue a career as a Steam Fitter. In association with his trade, Arthur was a member of the Plumber, Pipefitter and Service Trades Local (70) 174 for many years.

Arthur’s life took a new direction when he was introduced to Charlene Nowak through their good friends, Barb and Ken. They went on a blind date to Grand Haven, which was the start of a beautiful relationship. After a 2 year courtship, Arthur and Charlene were happily married at St. Theresa Catholic Church in Wayland on September 13, 1958, and took a romantic honeymoon at Copper Harbor in the Upper Peninsula. At the time of their nuptials, the couple was building a new house for them to raise their family in, but Arthur had some finishing work still to do, so they couldn’t move in until December. Over the next several years, Arthur and Charlene filled their hearts and home with the joy and laughter of five children: Julia (1959), Patrick (1960), Louise (1961), Theresa (1962) and Diane (1966).

Arthur was a strict father, who ran a tight ship and had high expectations for his children. It was said that he didn’t lose arguments because there was “the wrong way or the Burns’ way” to do things. Yet, Arthur was also gentle, loving and supportive – he made sure they had everything they needed to succeed in life. Time together as a family was always important, and every year they spent a week at a cabin in Northern Michigan on Lake Bellaire. It didn’t matter where they went, Arthur always kept his tools in the trunk of the car so he could fix whatever needed fixing. The family started to think the resort owner that they rented the cabin from put them in a different cabin every year so that Arthur would fix it up. It was evident that Arthur’s one and only hobby was fixing things, and when he ran out of things to do at his house, he put a list together of things to fix at his kids’ homes. Even after Arthur retired in 1993, he was never idle for very long.

Arthur was a lifelong member of St. James Catholic Church, where he volunteered with maintenance work, counted money and served as an usher. He also volunteered his time with HEAT ON. When trying to lift someone’s spirits, Arthur often encouraged them with the words “Keep the Faith.” And other times, if he didn’t have the right words, he would simply say, “Read the Manuel.”

As a couple, Arthur and Charlene liked to grab some burgers and fries from Bud’s Hamburger on Remembrance Road, and then top it off with dessert, which was regularly a hot fudge sundae. Arthur never really needed to learn to cook since he had five sisters and later a wife to cook for him. They both enjoyed going to the casinos and playing slots too, or watching a Detroit Tiger’s game on TV together. Every year for their anniversary, Arthur and Charlene headed off on a special trip to places like Oregon, Idaho, and Ireland (25th anniversary). In 2006, Arthur suffered a mild stroke and it got him to slow down a little. He started slowing down even more over the last few months, and recently fell at home and suffered a bleed on his brain. Arthur passed away on Tuesday, May 11, 2010.

A loving husband, father and grandfather, Arthur will be deeply missed and remembered always.

Arthur J. Burns, age 79, of Grand Rapids, MI passed away on Tuesday, May 11, 2010. He was preceded in death by his brother, Robert Burns. Arthur is survived by Charlene, his wife of 51 years; children: Julia & Ric Erickson, Patrick & Laura Burns, Louise & Raymond Amash, Theresa & Joseph Lipski, and Diane & Steve Pupel; and 11 grandchildren. Also surviving are his siblings, Donna De Fouw, Mildred & Richard Prince, Dolores Parbel, Mary Lou Blackwell, and Barbara Burns; sisters-in-law, Evelyn Rybicki, Betty & Jack Tompkins, and Margaret & Charles Wila; and brother-in-law, John & Mary Nowak.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. on Friday, May 14, at St. James Catholic Church. Friends may visit with the family from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. with a Rosary at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, May 13, at Heritage Life Story Funeral Home, 2120 Lake Michigan Dr. NW, Grand Rapids. Interment in St. Mary’s of Marne Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to St. James Parish. Please visit Arthur’s personal memory page at www.lifestorynet.com where you may share a memory or photo with his family or sign his online guest book, if you are unable to attend.