Josh Burns

Sterling - Josh Burns, age 37, of Sterling, passed away peacefully on Friday evening, May 10, 2024, at Summa Akron City Hospital, following injuries sustained in a motorcycle accident.
Josh was born on October 21, 1986, in Akron, Ohio, to Jim and Micki (Roberts) Burns. He attended and graduated from Copley High School with the class of 2005, participating in the Four Cities Compact in Construction. On July 2, 2011, he married Ashley Bauman in Smithville, and they shared 13 wonderful years together, raising their three beloved children.
In his professional life, Josh served as an Equipment Operator for the Wadsworth City Street Department in recent years, concurrently owning and operating J & A Angus Beef in Sterling.
He was a devoted Christian husband and father, and a member of the Smithville Brethren church. He fulfilled his lifelong dream of owning a farm, recently completing construction on his barn. His love of farming stemmed from childhood visits to his family's farm in Canada, instilling in him a love for agriculture and craftsmanship.
Outside of work and family, Josh found joy spending quality time with loved ones and riding his motorcycle. He was known as the one to fix anything, inheriting an unwavering work ethic from his father, and it was evident in his daily life. Compassion and affection were traits learned from his mother. A dedicated father, he read bedtime stories and prayed with his children without fail, coached his son's football and baseball teams, supported his daughters in their cheerleading, dance, and gymnastics performances daily, and helped with the kids' 4-H activities.
Josh cherished the camaraderie of his friends, including farming alongside his friends and late-night guitar sessions. He had a passion for attending OSU Buckeyes football games, a tradition he shared annually with his father.
Josh Burns will be deeply missed by all who knew him, leaving behind a legacy of love, generosity, and tireless dedication.
Surviving are his wife, Ashley Burns; children, Eli (10), Hannah (8), and Leah (6) Burns; parents Jim and Micki Burns of Copley; sister, Katie Burns of Copley; his in-laws, Doug and Dianna Bauman of Rittman; sisters-in-law, Dara (Jason) Winchell of Copley and Amber (Tony) Grimm of Creston; nieces and nephews, Julia & Damon Winchell, and Clark & Sophie Grimm; paternal grandmother, Lynda Burns of Akron; maternal grandfather, David (fiancée Patricia Mull) Roberts of Rittman; grandmother-in-law, Jeanie Stoller of Sterling; and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends.
He was preceded in death by paternal grandfather, David Burns, maternal grandmother, Myrna Roberts, and grandparents-in-law, Harlan Stoller, and Delores and Marion Bauman.
Friends may call from 1-3pm and 6-8pm on Wednesday, May 15, 2024, at Auble-Gillman Funeral Home, 360 W. Sunset Dr., Rittman, or from 9:30-10:15am on Thursday morning at the church.
Services will be held at 10:30am on Thursday, May 16th at Smithville Brethren Church, 193 East Main St., Smithville, with Pastor Art Carr officiating. Burial will take place at the Rittman Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to 4-H of Wayne County, 428 W Liberty St., Wooster, Ohio 44691. A future fund will be established at Wayne Savings Community Bank, 237 N. Main St., Rittman, for the benefit of the children.
Auble-Gillman Funeral Home in Rittman is handling the arrangements. Online registry and expressions of condolence may be made at www.gillmanfuneralhome.com.