Edward S. Burns

Edward S. Burns, 82, of Monmouth, passed away at 7:15 a.m., Monday, March 21, 2016 at Monmouth Nursing Home, Monmouth.

He was born on August 8, 1933 in Sumner Township, Warren County, IL, the son of Albert Dell and Caroline Amelia (Scott) Burns. Ed attended Cedar Creek and Duck Creek Grade Schools, and Little York High School. He graduated from Repperts School of Auctioneering in Decatur, IN in 1957.

Ed married Sarah A. Melton on December 24, 1950 in Burlington, Ia., she survives.

After marriage, Ed started farming on the Cook place in Sumner Township and then moved to the Reasoner Farm in Spring Grove Township. Ed was an avid auction goer and decided to become an auctioneer. He obtained his real estate license in 1958. Ed moved his family to a farm in Monmouth Township in 1958, where he resided until he retired in 2007.

Ed raised livestock, mostly cattle and horses, along with his auction and real estate business. In 1960 he brought the first livestock trailers into this area. He had his work cut out for him, convincing livestock farmers how much more convenient they were than trucks with stock racks. However they did catch on. In 1976 he expanded by opening Edward S. Burns and Sons Trailer Sales on Route 67 North of Monmouth. Ed was a member of the Illinois Auctioneers Association and National Auctioneers Association.

Surviving Ed is his wife, Sarah Burns of Monmouth, two daughters, Connie (Robert) Loving of Cameron, IL and Sarah "Sally" Crose of Galesburg, IL; three sons; Charles (Sheree) Burns of Alexis, IL, D. Herb (Jennifer) Burns of Alexis, IL and Scott E. Burns of Strafford, MO; twelve grandchildren, Amy Cokel of Madison, WI, Melinda (Derek) Perry of Cameron, IL, Austin Loving of Cameron, Chandler (Ellie) Burns of Alexis, IL, Chase (Jackie) Burns of North Henderson, IL, Blake (Krista) Burns of Alexis, Carrie Elliott of Kappa, IL, Warren Crose of Galesburg, Cameron Crose of Springfield, MO, Sarah Cheyenne (Nick) Bettlach of Strafford, MO, Bailey (Dalton Becraft) Burns of Marshfield, MO and Shelby Burns of Strafford. Also surviving are two step grandchildren, Amy (Jeff) McWhorter of Aledo, IL and Tony Loving of Belleville, IL, nineteen great grandchildren, three sisters; Ruth (Paul) Fredrickson of Galesburg, Dorothy (Lynn) Long of Monmouth, Iliene (Brent) Ogilvie of Alexis, and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Leonard Dell Burns, and grandson Alexander J. Cokel.

Memorial Services will be at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, March 26, 2016 at McGuire & Davies Funeral Home and Crematory, Monmouth. Interment will be in Warren County Memorial Park. Cremation rites have been accorded. Visitation will be Friday evening 5:00-7:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Memorials can be made to the St. Jude's Children's Hospital or the Alexis-North Henderson Ambulance Service.