Elmore Joseph Burns

A native of Port Allen and a resident of Prairieville, he died peacefully at his home Wednesday, June 30, 2010, surrounded by his family. He was 94, a retired sugar farmer from Westover Plantation and a U.S. Marine Corps veteran of World War II, having served in the Asiatic-Pacific Theater from 1943 to 1945. He was honorably discharged with combat honors. Visitation at St. John Catholic Church in Prairieville on Friday, July 2, from 9:30 a.m. until Mass of Christian Burial at 11 a.m. Interment at Greenoaks Memorial Park. He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Ruth Bums; two sons and a daughter-in-law, Tom and Lori Burns and Tim Burns, of Baton Rouge; five daughters and four sons-in-law, Linda Vallet and Debra and AI Lockwood, of Prairieville, Barbara and Ray May, of Baton Rouge, Karen and Ken Thompson, of Denham Springs and Denise Burns, of Shreveport; brother, Richard "Jake" Burns, of Baton Rouge; sisters, Rosalie Arboneaux, Hazel Chapman and Dolores Simoneaux, all of Baton Rouge, and Kitty Alford, of Denham Springs; 14 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, Willoughby and Inez Bums; brothers, John, Willoughby Jr., Charlie and Joseph Burns; and sisters, Mildred Bellinger, Josie Pace and Rita Bernard. Pallbearers will be AI, Matt, Jordan and David Lockwood, Darrin May and Ken Thompson. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial gifts be made to the Society of St. Vincent de Paul or Hospice of Baton Rouge. Special thanks to Dr. William Baird, Dr. Reuben Fabriega, Hospice of Baton Rouge and sitters Debra and Carole.