CLYDE/AVOCA - James Burris, age 81 of Clyde, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, February 10, 2009 at the Orchard Manor Nursing Home in Lancaster, WI. He had been living with Alzheimer's disease for several years. He was born at St. Joseph's Hospital in Dodgeville on August 19, 1927 the son of Smith and Elizabeth (McCluskey) Burris. He graduated from the Lone Rock High School in 1945. He was married on September 6, 1950 to the former Lucille Frank at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Lone Rock, WI. He continued to farm at the family farm in Clyde, homesteaded in 1836. While farming he worked for Edward Kraemer and Sons then worked at John Deere in Dubuque, Iowa. He drove school bus for River Valley Schools for over 20 years. He was known as the guy with the red suspenders.
Survivors include: his wife, Lucille Burris of Avoca; a son, Jim Burris; 3 daughters, Doreen (Bill) Valdez of Rock Springs, Wyoming, Sheila Burris of Avoca and Laura (Phil) Vosberg of Monroe, WI; 2 grandchildren, Kurt Heusler and Marissa Vosberg; a sister-in-law, Violet Burris of Jacksonville, FL.; several nieces and a nephew. He was preceded in death by his parents, Smith and Elizabeth Burris; a brother, John Burris; mother-in-law and father-in-law, Alphonse and Lena Frank; a brother-in-law, Tom Carroll; a sister-in-law, Evelyn Carroll; and 2 nephews, Michael and Steve Burris.
He was a member of St. Malachy's parish in Clyde and served on the parish council several years. He was a member of the Spring Green Knights of Columbus. James was a giving man with a great sense of humor. He will be greatly missed by his family and everyone who knew him.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, February 13, 2009 at St. John's Catholic Church in Spring Green, WI. Fr. Mike Resop and Fr. Rob Butz will concelebrate with burial in the St. Malachy's Catholic Cemetery in Clyde. Visitation will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, February 12, 2009 at the Richardson-Stafford Funeral Home in Spring Green and at the church on Friday from 10 a.m. until the time of mass. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to an Alzheimer's charity or the Orchard Manor Nursing Home. Online condolences available at www.staffordfuneralhomes.com.
Richardson-Stafford Funeral Home
HWY 23 South
Spring Green, WI
(608) 588-2181
Survivors include: his wife, Lucille Burris of Avoca; a son, Jim Burris; 3 daughters, Doreen (Bill) Valdez of Rock Springs, Wyoming, Sheila Burris of Avoca and Laura (Phil) Vosberg of Monroe, WI; 2 grandchildren, Kurt Heusler and Marissa Vosberg; a sister-in-law, Violet Burris of Jacksonville, FL.; several nieces and a nephew. He was preceded in death by his parents, Smith and Elizabeth Burris; a brother, John Burris; mother-in-law and father-in-law, Alphonse and Lena Frank; a brother-in-law, Tom Carroll; a sister-in-law, Evelyn Carroll; and 2 nephews, Michael and Steve Burris.
He was a member of St. Malachy's parish in Clyde and served on the parish council several years. He was a member of the Spring Green Knights of Columbus. James was a giving man with a great sense of humor. He will be greatly missed by his family and everyone who knew him.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, February 13, 2009 at St. John's Catholic Church in Spring Green, WI. Fr. Mike Resop and Fr. Rob Butz will concelebrate with burial in the St. Malachy's Catholic Cemetery in Clyde. Visitation will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, February 12, 2009 at the Richardson-Stafford Funeral Home in Spring Green and at the church on Friday from 10 a.m. until the time of mass. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to an Alzheimer's charity or the Orchard Manor Nursing Home. Online condolences available at www.staffordfuneralhomes.com.
Richardson-Stafford Funeral Home
HWY 23 South
Spring Green, WI
(608) 588-2181