Francis Xavier Burns

NEW CONCORD -- Francis Xavier Burns, 83, formerly of Cambridge, died Nov. 9, 2009, at Heartland of Waterville.

He was born April 4, 1926, in Covington, Ky., son of the late William Michael and Helen Henning Burns.

Mr. Burns was a loving and dedicated father and husband. He spent many years as the primary caregiver for his wife, Marilyn, during her battle with Alzheimer's disease before her death in 2006.

He attended Western Kentucky and John Carroll universities and held a master's degree in psychology.

He began his career as an English teacher at several high schools in the Cleveland area. He held school psychologist positions for the Guernsey County schools, Cambridge City Schools, and Zanesville City Schools, from which he retired.

He was a World War II combat veteran in the 96th Infantry Division.

He married the late Marilyn Ann O'Haire Burns on June 22, 1957.

He was preceded in death by four brothers and two sisters.

He is survived by his daughters, Maureen (Todd) Bates of Cambridge, Peggy Burns of Richmond, Vt., and Kathleen (Bobby) Williams of Washington Court House; sons, Francis X. Burns Jr. of Zhoukou City, Peoples Republic of China, and William (Amy) Burns of Watervillle; grandchildren, Bridget (Aaron) Todd, Dan (Terri) Sestina, Sean (Tanae) Sestina, Caitlin Bates, Laura Bates, Devin Lefebvre, Ryan McConahy, Brooke McConahy, Braeden Burns and Derek Burns; great-grandchildren, Evy Todd, Evan Todd, Shea Sestina and Tyler Oliver; sisters, Angela (James) Corey of Florissant, Mo., and Patricia (Bernard) Peroz, Burnsville, Minn.; and brother, William (Mary Lou) Burns of Akron.

Christian wake service was Nov. 20, 2009, at the Mock-Miller Funeral Home, New Concord.

A Mass of Christian burial was Nov. 21 at St. Benedict's Catholic Church, Cambridge, with the Rev. Fr. Robert Borer as celebrant.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer's Association.

Dunn Funeral Home, Bowling Green, is assisting the family.

Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.dunnfuneralhome.com.