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1919
2017
Alton K. Cairns
DeWitt - Alton K. Cairns, 98, passed away peacefully on Saturday, December 16, 2017. Born April 2, 1919, Alton served in the US Army during WWII. He worked for 37 years for Valley Farms Lumber. A family man through and through, Alton and his wife Ruth (Baar) enjoyed 77 years of marriage and five generations of family.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Bert and Anna (Hansen) Cairns and his son, Laurence A. Cairns.
He will be lovingly remembered by his sons, Richard, James, and Scott Cairns; daughter, Sally (Dennis) Locher; daughter-in-law, Agnes Cairns; and his eight grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren, and 2 great-great-grandchildren who affectionately called him "Grumpy".
A Funeral Mass will be held on Wednesday, December 20, 2017 at 11am at the Catholic Community of St. Jude, 801 N. Bridge St., DeWitt. The family will receive friends one hour prior to Mass, and on Tuesday, December 19, 2017 from 5pm until 8pm, with a Rosary to be prayed at 7:30pm. Interment will follow with military honors in DeWitt Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Catholic Community of St. Jude Building Fund.
The family is being served by Gorsline Runciman Funeral Homes, DeWitt Chapel. Online condolences may be expressed at www.grdewitt.com.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Sponsored by Gorsline Runciman Funeral Homes.
The world will never know a finer man than Alton Cairns; such a gentle soul. He told me not so long ago that he started every day asking God to help him show kindness to every person he met along the way. Mission accomplished! He will be greatly missed.
Sue Klein, RN
December 20, 2017
My sincere condolences for your loss. You are all in my thoughts and in my prayers.
Rosie Spagnuolo Bickert
December 19, 2017
Grumpy, you were the greatest man I have ever known! How a little girl was naughty & thought you were grumpy to her, but the name stuck & you loved it! Even though you were always smiling! I miss you so much & will always love you! Thank you for everything you taught me & for always being there for me!
Wendy Cairns
December 18, 2017
Dear Cairns Family,
Please accept my sincere condolences on the death of your father, and so close to Christmas. May Jesus help to comfort you.
May Alton rest in peace.
Love, Judy Magee
Judy Magee
December 18, 2017
Grumpy, you were the greatest man I have ever known! Always smiling, but you loved being called Grumpy! How a little girl started that over 50 years, she must have done something bad to deserve a scolding! I will always love you!
Wendy Cairns
December 18, 2017
Mr. Cairns... you are and will always be an amazing person, loved by so meny, you were an inspiration to all. Loving husband, father, grandpa. God has gained an amazing Angel and we will miss you.
Janet Valentine
December 18, 2017
Dad, you were my inspiration. You set the standard for what a great husband, father, grandfather, uncle and friend should be. I'll try to follow your footsteps and be a better person. I wish you hadn't set the bar so high. LOVE you to Heaven and back.
Jim Cairns (your loving son)
December 17, 2017
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