Joe F. Burns, Sr., 98, of Cleveland, TN, passed away Monday, July 21, 2014 at Bradley Health Care.
He was a lifelong resident of Cleveland and a member of Broad Street United Methodist Church for 84 years. Joe was a veteran of the United States Army and served his country during World War II as a skilled gunnery mechanic on airplanes. He worked as a watch repairman for many years and was responsible for maintaining the old courthouse clock tower. In his next career, Joe was a Tennessee State Tax Revenue Agent and was often referred to as “the painless taxman”. All who knew Joe loved his kind spirit, many talents and funny wit.
He was preceded in death by his parents, John Henry and Gussie Burns; and son, Joe F. Burns, Jr.
Survivors include his devoted and loving wife of 75 years, Willie Mae Burns of Cleveland; daughter, Patricia Carmichael and husband, Wayne of Jasper, GA; grandchildren, Joe F. Burns, III and wife, Brenda, of Cleveland, Doug Zukowski and wife, Aimee of Signal Mountain, John Burns and wife, Natalie of Cleveland and Beth Jenkins and husband, Brad of Loudon; step-granddaughters, Amy Maresca of Tucker, GA and Sara Carmichael of Dallas, TX; great-grandchildren, Reid Burns, Alex and Will Zukowski and Caleb and Belle Jenkins; and daughter-in-law, Penny Lewis of Cleveland.
The funeral will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, July 24, in the chapel of Fike Funeral Home with Pastor Randy Martin and Pastor Debbie Stokes officiating. Interment will follow in Fort Hill Cemetery with military honors. Pallbearers will be Joe Burns, III, John Burns, Doug Zukowski, Keys Fillauer, Brad Jenkins and Alex Zukowski, who will represent all the great-grandsons.
His family will receive friends on Wednesday, July 23 from 5-8 p.m. at the Fike Funeral Home, who has charge of the arrangements.