Paul Lavern Burris, 87, passed away peacefully at his home in Emporia, Kansas, on September 2, 2012.
He was born May 28, 1925 in McDonald KS to Edgar and Gladys (Jayne) Burris. He graduated from Emporia High School in 1943 and was drafted into the Army, where he served in the 8th Air Force as a tail gunner on a B-24. He was stationed in England, flying bombing missions. He was in the first group to fly over the English Channel on D-Day. His crew went down over Sweden, where he was interred before returning to England and then home.
On January 27, 1944, he married Ilene Haughton, his wife of nearly 69 years. He attended, and graduated from, Watchmaker School and later joined two brothers in operating a jewelry store in Hosington, Kansas. He returned to Emporia and worked for Stephen’s Furniture/Appliance Store for 22 years. He opened the Appliance Center for several years and remained on as the service manager after selling the business to Hill’s. Since retirement, he has served as a volunteer at Newman Regional Health and the Sertoma train in Soden’s Grove Park. His memberships include: Sertoma (over 50 years – serving a term as president), American Legion Post 5 (over 60 years – including serving as commander), Sr. and Jr. American Legion Drum Corps (quartermaster), Jaycees, VFW Post 1980. He is a member of Sacred Heart Parish in Emporia.
Survivors include: wife, Ilene; daughters, Elaine (Walt) Henrie, Susan (Larry) Haag, Janna (Ken) Elfrink; sons, Michael (Tami), Toby (Kim), Scott (Chrissy), Rick (Kate); grandchildren, Dena (Brian) Wilkins, Brandy Bitler (Billy Noel), Jon (Kris) and Jeff Facklam, Aaron (Katie) and Adam Burris, Dreonna (Jeremy) Breton, Danae (Michael) Fanjoy, Shilah (Chris) Stahl, Jeremiah Smith and McKenna Elfrink, Ethan Hogg, Logan and Lexie Burris, Micah and Jonah Burris; great grandchildren, Mason Liggett, Austin and Quinton Wilkins, Bryson Bitler, Heidi, Ellie and Karli Facklam, Emily and Colby Facklam, Westen Breton; brothers, Marion (Helen) and Eddie (Margaret) Burris; brother-in-law, Chuck (Marilyn) Haughton; and sister-in-law, Carol Haughton.
He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers/sisters-in-law, Clarence (Elizabeth) and Hugh (Norma) Burris; grandson, Shawn Henrie.
A visitation will be held Friday, September 7, 2012, from 7:00-8:00 p.m. at Roberts-Blue-Barnett Funeral Home. Cremation has taken place with the Mass of Christian Burial to be held Saturday, September 8, 2012, at 10:00 a.m. at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Emporia. Father Richard Warsnak will conduct the Mass. A private Inurnment with military honors will be held at Sacred Heart Cemetery, Emporia.
Memorials have been established for: American Legion Post 5, Sertoma Miniature Train Fund, Sacred Heart Church Building Fund, and Hand in Hand Hospice. Contributions may be sent in care of the funeral home. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Paul Lavern Burris, please visit our flower store.
He was born May 28, 1925 in McDonald KS to Edgar and Gladys (Jayne) Burris. He graduated from Emporia High School in 1943 and was drafted into the Army, where he served in the 8th Air Force as a tail gunner on a B-24. He was stationed in England, flying bombing missions. He was in the first group to fly over the English Channel on D-Day. His crew went down over Sweden, where he was interred before returning to England and then home.
On January 27, 1944, he married Ilene Haughton, his wife of nearly 69 years. He attended, and graduated from, Watchmaker School and later joined two brothers in operating a jewelry store in Hosington, Kansas. He returned to Emporia and worked for Stephen’s Furniture/Appliance Store for 22 years. He opened the Appliance Center for several years and remained on as the service manager after selling the business to Hill’s. Since retirement, he has served as a volunteer at Newman Regional Health and the Sertoma train in Soden’s Grove Park. His memberships include: Sertoma (over 50 years – serving a term as president), American Legion Post 5 (over 60 years – including serving as commander), Sr. and Jr. American Legion Drum Corps (quartermaster), Jaycees, VFW Post 1980. He is a member of Sacred Heart Parish in Emporia.
Survivors include: wife, Ilene; daughters, Elaine (Walt) Henrie, Susan (Larry) Haag, Janna (Ken) Elfrink; sons, Michael (Tami), Toby (Kim), Scott (Chrissy), Rick (Kate); grandchildren, Dena (Brian) Wilkins, Brandy Bitler (Billy Noel), Jon (Kris) and Jeff Facklam, Aaron (Katie) and Adam Burris, Dreonna (Jeremy) Breton, Danae (Michael) Fanjoy, Shilah (Chris) Stahl, Jeremiah Smith and McKenna Elfrink, Ethan Hogg, Logan and Lexie Burris, Micah and Jonah Burris; great grandchildren, Mason Liggett, Austin and Quinton Wilkins, Bryson Bitler, Heidi, Ellie and Karli Facklam, Emily and Colby Facklam, Westen Breton; brothers, Marion (Helen) and Eddie (Margaret) Burris; brother-in-law, Chuck (Marilyn) Haughton; and sister-in-law, Carol Haughton.
He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers/sisters-in-law, Clarence (Elizabeth) and Hugh (Norma) Burris; grandson, Shawn Henrie.
A visitation will be held Friday, September 7, 2012, from 7:00-8:00 p.m. at Roberts-Blue-Barnett Funeral Home. Cremation has taken place with the Mass of Christian Burial to be held Saturday, September 8, 2012, at 10:00 a.m. at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Emporia. Father Richard Warsnak will conduct the Mass. A private Inurnment with military honors will be held at Sacred Heart Cemetery, Emporia.
Memorials have been established for: American Legion Post 5, Sertoma Miniature Train Fund, Sacred Heart Church Building Fund, and Hand in Hand Hospice. Contributions may be sent in care of the funeral home. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Paul Lavern Burris, please visit our flower store.
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