Robert L. Burns, Sr., who pastored many years in the Fellowship of Grace Brethren Churches, died on Friday in Kittanning, Pa. Services will be held Tuesday in Kittanning. His obituary appears below.
Rev. Robert L. Burns, Sr., 88, of North Buffalo Township, was ushered into the presence of the Lord on Friday, June 24, 2016, in the Armstrong County Health Center, Kittanning.
Born December 31, 1927, in Martinsburg, Pa., he was a son of the late Frank and Rebecca (Burkett) Burns.
Rev. Burns graduated from Martinsburg High School in 1945. He attended Grace College and then graduated from the Akron Bible Institute. He served as a pastor in Barberton, Ohio; Kokomo, Ind.; Aleppo, Pa,, and Meyersdale, Pa, and then retired from North Buffalo Grace Brethren Church in North Buffalo Township, Pa., after 34 years of service.
Rev. Burns was a member of the Grace Brethren Conservative Mininsterium. He enjoyed camping, fishing, hunting, traveling, watching sporting events on television, and reading; and really enjoyed being around people.
He is survived by his wife, Evelyn (Stern) Burns; his children, Carol (Stephen) Jackson of Peru, Ind.; Judi (Daniel) White of York, Pa.; Robert (Kathy) Burns of Westfield, Ind.; Sharon (Fred) Meyers of Meyersdale, Pa.; Richard (Jami) Burns of Kittanning, Pa.; and Ronald (Amy) Burns of Kittanning, Pa.; a sister, Lois Gunning of Denver, Co.; 19 grandchildren, and 20 great grandchildren.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a grandson, Nathan Meyers; and 12 siblings.
Friends will be welcomed from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m., Monday, in the Welch Funeral Home, 1032 Fourth Ave., Ford City, and from 10 a.m. until the time of services at 11 a.m., Tuesday, at North Buffalo Grace Brethren Church, with Rev. Dr. Daniel A White, officiating. Interment will follow in Ford City Cemetery. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the North Buffalo Grace Brethren Church, 135 Glade Run Road, Kittanning, PA 16201.