James Edward Burnes, 84, of Dix, passed away at 10:50 a.m., Tuesday, September 19, 2023, at Nature Trail Health and Rehab Center, in Mt. Vernon.
He was born February 20, 1939, in Bristow, Oklahoma, the son of James Nobel and Betty Jo (Burris) Burnes. On December 22, 1960, he married Mary Tinsley, and she survives.
Mr. Burnes worked for many years as a public school Teacher, Coach, and Administrator. He was a member of Boyd Christian Church. He graduated from Woodlawn Grade School, Woodlawn High School, Mt. Vernon Community College, McKendree College, and Eastern Illinois University, obtaining his Education Specialist- School Administration Degree. He served as the Executive Director for the Southern Illinois Junior High School Athletic Association. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, trapping, any and all sports (playing and coaching), any outdoor activity, and painting landscapes. He was inducted into the Woodlawn High School Sports Hall of Fame and was a member of multiple professional fishing organizations, including Bass Caster’s Association, Lunkers Unlimited, and Bassmasters.
In addition to his wife, Mary Burnes of Dix, he is survived by a son, James Brett Burnes and wife Nina of Dix; daughter, Monte Jo Clark and husband Craig of Centralia; seven grandchildren, Jessa Jines, Hayden Poninski, Kaela Johnson, Adra Burnes, Nobel Burnes, Emmett Burnes, and Elroy Burnes; and eleven great-grandchildren, Alivia and Liam Jines, Rylan and River Johnson, Molly Jacobs, Bryce, Linny, Matthew, and Nolan Poninski, Malakhi Hails, and Aiyla Burnes.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
Funeral Services for Mr. Burnes will be held at 12:00 p.m., Friday, September 22, 2023, at the Boyd Christian Church. Burial will follow at Boyd Cemetery. Visitation will be held Friday, September 22, 2023, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., at the church. Memorial gifts may be made to Boyd Christian Church or Kingdom Seed Ministries and will be accepted at the service, or by mail to Osborn Funeral Home, P.O. Box 130, Dix, Illinois 62830. Online condolences may be made at www.osbornfuneral.com, or on the Osborn Funeral Home Facebook page.
