Joseph B. Burns, 79, of Rock Island, died Wednesday, June 10, 2020 at home.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be 10 am Monday, June 15, 2020 at St. Pius X Catholic Church, Rock Island.  Friends may express their sympathy at a drive-thru only visitation from 2-4 pm Sunday, June 14, 2020 at Wheelan-Pressly Funeral Home and Crematory, 3030 7th Avenue, Rock Island.  A rosary will be recited at 4 pm Sunday via live-stream (www.wheelanpressly.com/live-stream).  Burial will be at Rock Island National Cemetery, Arsenal Island.  Memorials may be made in care of St. Pius X Catholic Church, University of Iowa Stead Family Children's Hospital or the American Heart Association.

Joe was born on March 18, 1941 at Moline Public Hospital, a son of Harold and Irene DeJaeger Burns.  He graduated from Alleman High School and joined the U.S. Navy in 1961 where he became a second class medical corpsman for just over four years.

Joe married Sharon McMurray on July 12, 1969 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Moline.

Joe worked 18 ½ years at John Deere Harvester.  He retired in 2009 as co-owner and operator of the 14th Avenue Waffle Shop in Rock Island after 23 ½ years of serving with his wife, Sharon.

Joe was a faithful man who spent time at a Benedictine monastery in New Mexico.  He belonged to St. Pius X Catholic Church.  He was also a member of the Knights of Columbus and the Garabandal movement.

Joe was proud of the replica of Noah's Ark he built in the 70's in which he was able to give several lectures about.

Those left to cherish his memory include his wife, Sharon Burns, Rock Island; children, David (Lisa) Burns, Woodbridge, Va., Paul (Anna) Burns, Aiea, Hawaii, Brian Burns, Rock Island, Bernadette (Jason) Gustafson, Cambridge, Ill. and Anna (Scott) Anders, Rock Island; five grandchildren; two step-grandchildren; two step-great-grandchildren; siblings, Ruth Kelley, Rock Island, Father John Burns, Woodhull, Ill., Teresa Huyten, Moline and Cynthia Jasper, Sun City West, Arizona; close cousin, MaryAnn Hanavan; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents and siblings, Rosemarie Kennedy, Robert Burns and Patricia Jenning.

The family would like to thank the offices of doctors Ade, Manizer and Acosta along with their nurses, Cassie and Toni.  They would also like to give special thanks to Trinity Hospice, especially to Andy and Angie.

Online condolences at wheelanpressly.com