John Howard Burnside, 68, died on Saturday, April 18, 2015, at his home in Anderson Township, Ohio, a suburb of Cincinnati.
Graveside services will be held at 11:30 a.m. on Friday in Fairlawn Cemetery in Vandalia, with the Rev. Robert Weaver officiating. Hohlt and File Funeral Home in Vandalia was in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be shared at www.hohltandfilefh.com.
Mr. Burnside was born on Dec. 26, 1946, the son of Robert G. and Mary Burnside of Vandalia.
In 1968, he was married to the former Sherry Bauman at First Baptist Church of Vandalia, with the Rev. Archie Brown officiating. Sherry was the love of his life, as he was the love of her life. A daughter, Shelly Dawn, was born to them in 1970.
He graduated from Vandalia Community High School in 1965. In 1969, he was awarded a bachelor's degree from the School of Engineering at Southern Illinois University in Carbondale, Illinois.
In 1969, the family moved to Livonia, Mich., where Mr. Burnside went to work as an engineer for the Ford Motor Co. In 1978, he and his family moved to Cincinnati, Ohio, where he built the Batavia Transmission Plant for Ford. He then worked in management at the plant until retiring in 1999.
He was a trustee of Anderson Hills United Methodist Church in Anderson Township. He served on the board of the Association of Retired Methodist Men and was a trustee of Five¬ Mile Chapel.
Mr. Burnside lived a life of generous service. A talented carpenter, plumber, electrician, landscaper and computer operator, among other things, "he loved to help people," said his daughter, Shelly.
He is survived by his wife, Sherry, of Anderson Hills; daughter, Shelly of Birmingham, Mich.; brother, Gordon of Edwardsville; sisters, Elizabeth, of Vandalia, and Anne, of Iowa City, Iowa; brother-in-law, Harold Baumann of Vandalia; and many nieces and nephews.
Mr. and Mrs. Burnside had established a scholarship fund for engineering students from Fayette County. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the fund: Old Capitol Foundation/John & Sherry Burnside Scholarship Fund, Trust Dept, First National Bank of Vandalia, 311 Bankers Blvd., Vandalia, Ill. 62471.
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Its so hard to believe its been 2 years...yet it seems like yesterday. John is always in our thoughts, in our hearts and you two are always in our prayers. (((Hugs)))
Dana Barrow
Family Friend
April 17, 2017
Keeping you in our thoughts and prayers. So sorry!
Rod and Sharon Deem
April 24, 2015
My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Heather Audet
April 23, 2015
Sherry, Marvin and I are so very sorry for your loss...we didn't know John that long but we enjoyed getting to know him last summer. Know that our prayers are with you at this time. Kay
April 22, 2015
GoodBy Buddy, we Retire Together - Roosevelt Joe
Roosevelt Joe
April 22, 2015
Sherry I am so sorry. What a shock. It makes me remember back to when we both started at Ford in the same office. I remember when we both were young and had our first kids days apart.We always visited each other's homes. It seems so long ago. We will miss you. God bless.
sam shepherd
April 22, 2015
Sherry, I was shocked when Randy told me of John's passing. My prayers are with you and your family.
Lynn Treiss
April 22, 2015
Shelly, Our deepest condolences, it is clear your Father was loved by his work family as well as friends and family. Prayers for comfort for your entire family
Tim Fleming
April 22, 2015
Sherry and family - Steve & I are saddened by the news of John's passing. We have so many fond memories of the old Montchateau neighborhood! We can still picture John & Mac walking around the neighborhood. Our thoughts are with you.
Cathy & Steve Etter
April 22, 2015
I worked with John,at Ford ,Batvia from the time we built the plant. He was part of our retirement group get together quarterly. I'll miss hearing about his family and his next adventure.
Ed Zix
April 22, 2015
Our deepest sympathy to Sherry and the entire family. John was a great friend and neighbor. He will be missed by all who knew him.
Norb & Diana Geiss
April 21, 2015
Am glad I could call you my friend--Will meet you on the other side
Mac McGladdery
April 21, 2015
John was the best superintendent that i had during my 30 yrs. at Ford. I ran the Heat Treat area and John wanted for me to explain the full operation. He was able to get pay increases that had been long over due for me. I am very indebted to John. He was a great asset to Ford & the Batavia plant . RIP my friend.
Ben Vaughn
April 21, 2015
John was a great person for the Ford Batavia Plant. While I worked indirectly for him as a weekend supervisor, I certainly learned a lot from those experiences. He was certainly a knowledgeable and thorough person and I enjoyed the opportunity to know and work with him. So long John.
Vaughn Stinson
April 21, 2015
Thank you Mr. Burnside for being part of my life at Ford Batavia!
Ronald Jones
April 21, 2015
Our thoughts and prayers are with your family during this difficult time. 1 Peter 3:7
April 21, 2015
John Burnside was a big part of my best memories from Ford, Together we built the Batavia plant, John built the building and I filled it with the machines. Then we assembled the best Maintenance Department in Ford Motor Company. We will all miss you and your talents.
April 21, 2015
Sherry, Chris and I are so sorry for your lose. He was a super nice guy,. Our thoghts are with you and your family
Leah Blickensderfer
April 21, 2015
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Funeral services provided by:
Hohlt & File Funeral Home, Ltd. - Vandalia204 North Fourth Street, Vandalia, IL 62471
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