Donald W. "Bud" Burns

ORLANDO, FL - This past Thanksgiving 2017, the world lost a great guy. Donald W. “Bud” Burns died, Thursday, November 23, 2017 due to complications after emergency surgery, Bud won many great battles but ultimately lost his war. He fought until the end and would even smile and make us laugh just by being Bud. He passed with his family by his side, knowing he was loved and would be missed.

Bud was born December 28, 1928 in Kewanee, IL and passed in Orlando, FL. Between that time, Bud served in the U.S. Navy, learning his trade, carpentry. After returning home to Kewanee he worked in Illinois and Texas before settling in Boulder, CO for 50 years. Bud made a great living as superintendent for Weaver General Construction. There, he built roads, homes, high rise apartments, water treatment facilities and many buildings we still see today! He was always proud of his work and truly loved what he did. He worked until 83 years young.

Bud was a brother, a husband, a father, grandfather and even great- grandfather! Also, a friend to anyone he met. For 88 years, Bud lived life to the fullest, always pushing the edge. He created amazing memories for himself, his family and friends that we will never forget.

He is preceded in death by his wife of 50 years, Anita (Marshall) Burns; parents, Donald L. and Ruth (Lansing) Burns; sister, Donna (Burns) Warner. 

He is survived by his daughter, Debbie Gerk of Orlando, FL; son, Kyle (Mary Kay) DeJaeger of Ft. Smith, AR; grandson, Donald Gerk of Orlando, FL and two granddaughters, Kimmy (Matt) Genuardi of Orlando, FL and Kellee (Ryan) Gilmour of Frisco, TX. Also, his three great-grandchildren, Caleb and Jillian Gilmour and Teddy Genuardi.

Graveside services will be held at 10:00 a.m., Thursday, November 30 at Mt. Olivet Cemetery in Kewanee, IL with military rites accorded by the Kewanee Veterans Council. Deacon Martin VanMeltebeck will officiate. Visitation will be held from 9:00-9:45 a.m., Thursday at Rux Funeral Home, 507 S. Chestnut St., Kewanee, IL 61443. Memorials may be directed to the Donald W. “Bud” Burns Memorial Fund.

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