Reverend Thomas M. Burns, Jr.

YORK- On Thursday, August 25, 2016, The Reverend Thomas (Tom) M. Burns, Jr., 93, died peacefully in his sleep at his home at the SpiriTrust Lutheran Retirement Community in York, PA. Rev. Burns was born April 19, 1923 to Thomas Moore and Eva (Shatzer) Burns in Waynesboro, PA. He was the oldest of four sons. Tom graduated from Washington Township High School in 1942, Franklin and Marshall College with a B.A. in History in 1945, and Lancaster Theological Seminary with a B.Div. in 1947. While a student at Lancaster Seminary, Tom was married to Miriam Ruth (Fultz) on October 27, 1945. Following his ordination into The United Church of Christ, Rev. Burns began his ministry at the Fairfield, Cashtown, McKnightstown Charge, serving there from 1947 to 1951. He then served Trinity UCC, Saxton from 1951 to 1953; St. John’s, Phoenixville from 1953 to 1963, and Red Lion from 1963 to 1988, from which he retired. He was later honored by the church having been given the designation Pastor Emeritus. Rev. Burns' civic activities were many and varied, including serving on several school organizations, as President of the Path Valley Lions Club, and as Secretary of the York Association, Penn Central Conference of United Church of Christ for ten years. He was also very involved with the youth programs as well as starting one of the first Pre-School programs in the Red Lion community at St. John’s UCC. Tom was an avid reader, hunter, fisherman and enjoyed taking care of his fruit trees in the mountains. He loved his home in the mountains and his winter home in Florida where he and his wife volunteered at the Tampa Bay Fair for over 15 years. He was active in sports in his younger years and watched the Phillies as often as possible. Besides his beloved wife of more than seventy years, Miriam, Tom leaves five children: Tom and his wife Robyn Fountain, Kathleen and her husband Michael Bougher, Susan and her husband Kip Markey, Phyllis and her husband Robin Shaeffer, and Roberta and her husband Stephen Smith. He was the proud grandfather of nine, and great grandfather of 17. Tom also leaves two brothers, Hubert and his wife Phyllis and Paul and his wife Leona. Along with his parents, Tom was preceded in death by his brother, James Burns, two nephews, and a grandson, Jonathan L. Shaeffer. The family wish to thank Terry and Katy from Deanie Taylor King Home Care; Hospice & Community Care for the wonderful care that was given, and to Pastor Tietje from St. John’s UCC for all the visits, communion and prayers in these last few months of his life. A Celebration of Life tribute service will be held at 11 AM on Friday, September 23, 2016 at St. John’s UCC, 161 North Main Street, Red Lion, with his Pastor, The Reverend David D. Tietje, officiating. Visitation will be held from 9:30-11 AM prior to the service. A luncheon will follow the service in the church’s fellowship hall. Inurnment will be held at 11 AM on Saturday, September 24, 2016 in Harbaugh Cemetery, 14125 Harbaugh Church Road, Waynesboro, PA 17268. Heffner Funeral Chapel & Crematory, Inc., 1551 Kenneth Road, York, is in charge of arrangements. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made in Rev. Burns’ name to either St. John’s UCC, 161 N. Main St., Red Lion, PA 17356 or Hoffman Homes for Youth, 815 Orphanage Rd., Littlestown, PA 17340.