John Burnett

1925 - 2021

PIQUA - John Joseph Burnett, of Piqua, passed away on June 6, 2021, at the ripe old age of 95 years and 197 days. He was born on Nov. 21, 1925 to the late Ralph Lindley and Kathryn (Sharkey) Burnett. He married Augusta L. Cruse March 15, 1948 in Piqua; and she preceded him in death May 16, 2012.

Survivors include two daughters, Diana (David) Cornelisse of Troy, DeLane Grazulis of Tipp City. He was preceded in death by his beloved Augusta in 2012 and son-in-law, Larry Grazulis in 2018. John was the last of the Ann Street Burnett's: brothers Bill, Frank and Thomas and his sisters Virginia Burnett (Tic), Eleanor (Apple) and Mary (Starrett).

John grew up in Piqua and spent memorable weeks on the Sharkey farm in Glynwood. John attended St. Mary's schools and fell in love with Augusta Lou Cruse at a young age. He snuck into the ballroom of the Coke Hall and secretly watched her in ballet class. They married in 1948 and lived the American Dream. John maintained trees for DP&L back when they trimmed trees properly. After retirement he and Augusta traveled the U.S. in their Airstream, spending winters on Navarre Beach, Florida, and returning to Piqua for summer at home with their trailer parked at Fenner Lake where they had many friends. He also had wonderful neighbors whom he looked after and looked after him. He valued neighbors and community and worried what will become of them once he is gone. He knew everyone in North Piqua whom he waved to driving down Virginia Street. John was a lifelong Notre Dame and University of Dayton fan and never missed an opportunity to rib OSU fans. He was a great cook and was known for his New Year's cabbage rolls. His last batch in 2019 was 179 rolls for a large number of friends and his doctors. John's sense of humor was wicked, unrelenting and endearing. When he turned 70, John began saying Tommy Jamieson would peek in his window every morning making sure he wasn't the next client. Johnny outlived Tommy by decades but eventually he got caught short. Thanks to all the kind angels of Hospice who cared for him at home, especially Cheyenne and his best bud, Heather.

A private service to honor his life will be held at Forest Hill Cemetery. Funeral arrangements are being provided to the family through the Jamieson & Yannucci Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Miami County, Inc. P.O. Box 502, Troy, 45373; The Nicholas School, 1601 Garbry Rd. Piqua, 45356; or the Piqua Library, 116 W. High St. Piqua, 45356. Guestbook condolences and expressions of sympathy, to be provided to the family, may be expressed through jamiesonandyannucci.com.