Lewis C. Burns

May 29, 1924 - November 17, 2019

Lewis C. Burns, age 95, of Bloomingdale, left to go be with his Lord and Savior on Nov. 17, 2019. He passed peacefully at his home surrounded by his loved ones. Lewis was born May 29, 1924 in Scotts, MI the son of Carl and Claire (Milliman) Burns. Lewis was a World War II veteran who served with the US Navy on the Medium Aircraft Carrier 445 and was honorably discharged at the end of the war. He used the GI Bill to attend Taylor University, taking a sabbatical to earn enough money to be able to complete his bachelor's degree in teaching. He taught in various schools including Scotts, Brandywine/Niles and Edwardsburg. He served as a guidance counselor at Bloomingdale Public Schools until his retirement in 1980. Among his many community activities, Lewis was active with the Van Buren County Youth Camp, the United Methodist Church, several Christian youth groups and home based Bible Studies. He proudly served on the Bloomingdale Board of Education many years, being instrumental in the planning and fruition of the new Bloomingdale High School Facilities. Lewis and Jean were married June 14th, 1957. They had natural children, Cheryl (Russell) Sullins and Craig (Jan) Burns. Another daughter, Hulda (Wilson) Gruenewald, joined the family in 1966. He is survived by his younger sister, Beatrice Ellis; 8 grandchildren; 9 great grandchildren, as well as many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife, Jean, in 2019; and daughter, Hulda, in 2012. Lewis was active in the Bloomingdale Sports Programs with his wife Jean . He helped build the girls first practice softball field and was scoreboard keeper of home girls and boys varsity basketball games for many years. Lewis will be remembered for his flower gardens, and always sending “Posies” home. Some of his "Posies" still grace the Bloomingdale High School Courtyard. The family will meet friends 4:30 – 6:00 PM Thursday at the Bloomingdale High School Auditorium, where the service will be 6:00 PM Thursday, November 21, with Jim Vukelich officiating. Interment will follow 11:00 AM Friday at Glendale Cemetery, Waverly Township. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials be made to Bloomingdale Christian Fellowship; 43395 6th Ave.; Bloomingdale, MI 49026; Bloomingdale Area Schools Foundation Scholarship; PO Box 217; Bloomingdale, MI 49026; or to Hospice of Southwest Michigan; 222 N. Kalamazoo Mall, Suite 100; Kalamazoo, MI 49007. Arrangements entrusted to the Bloomingdale Chapel, D. L. Miller Funeral Home. www.dlmillerfuneralhome.com.