Joanne Burns

Joanne was born to Marshall and Delia Gilmore in Swartz Creek, Michigan. After graduating from high school, Joanne went on to study journalism in Birmingham Alabama and graduated from Michigan State University. It was at Michigan State that she met her future husband Jack Burns.

In 1958, Jack was employed by Kroger and they moved to Milford, Ohio. Joanne was a busy homemaker and mother as their three children, Pamela, Jim, and Renee, joined the family. It was during this time that a friend invited Joanne to a Bible study where she later received Jesus as her Lord and Savior.

In 1965, Pleasant Hill Elementary School asked Joanne to fill a position teaching 4th Grade. Over the next years, she completed her Teacher Education degree, then her Master’s degree also in Education. She taught 7th grade English at Cincinnati Christian High School and Milford Middle School. When she retired, she enjoyed traveling to visit her family and friends in California, Africa, UAE, and other places in Europe and the USA.

Joanne loved to fill her dining room table with delicious meals and surround it with family and friends. Her gifts of sunrise muffins were a favorite for many. When there was a friend in need, even into her 80’s, she would contribute special dishes.

Joanne loved her country and was a member of the Ansel Brainerd Cook Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution. Her connection to the Mayflower is in the process of being completed!

Joanne was an avid reader, especially enjoying studying and learning God’s Word. The heavily marked and underlined books in her sunroom are a testament to this. She loved to share what she was learning with others and kept a stack of Bibles and books to give away. She was a very devoted mother and grandmother, daily bringing her family and many others to God in prayer.

Joanne was preceded in death by her father, Marshall Gilmore; her mother, Delia Tibbits; her brother Dr. Robert Gilmore; an eight-month-old daughter Cindy Burns, her husband Jack Burns; and her son James Kevin Burns (Norma).

Two daughters survive her: Pamela Burns Propst (John), Renee Burns Petersen (Dave).

Grandchildren: Krista Propst Clermont (Justin), Julie Propst, Cheryl Propst Dahl (Sam), Linda Propst Bakker (Dirk), Walter Aldana (Vanessa).

Great grandchildren: Josiah, Micah, Levi, Keilah Clermont; Lila, Aaron, Simeon, Caroline Dahl; Abigail, Amanda, Ava Bakker; Andrew, Tahlia Aldana.

A memorial service will be held on May 6, 2023, at 4:00 pm at Faith Bible Church, 8130 E. Kemper Road, Montgomery, Ohio. A light supper reception with the family will follow the service.

The service will also be streamed. Go to https://fbccincy.org/events.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be contributed to Gideons International or to Faith Bible Church Missions in Joanne’s honor.