Jerry Lee Burns

Jerry Lee Burns, 80, of Terre Haute passed away early Tuesday morning, April 11, 2023.  He had worked as Administrative Manager for the former Columbian Home Products, LLC for 56 years before his retirement.  Jerry was born December 5, 1942 in Lewis, IN to Hugh Leo Burns and Jennie Louise McBride Burns.

Survivors include his dear friend, Sylvia Jurgonski;  his sister-in-law, Patricia Burns;  and nieces and nephews; Richard Burns (Garlene), Dietra Cole (Dennis), Selena Hinsdale (Chris), Jamie Guthrie (Julie), Christie Hicks (Tim) and Sam Guthrie (Carlen).  Also surviving are several cousins, Bill Kimbley (Joan), Susan Hallett, Jane Beaver, Pam Thomason, James Burns (Annie), David Burns, Cheryl Keehnel (Allan), Christy Black, Mike Burns( Penny) and Dana Burns;  two aunts, Nadine Burns and Ramona Burns;  and many great-nieces, great-nephews and great-cousins.  He was preceded in death by his parents;  and a brother, Larry Leo Burns.

Jerry was a graduate of Garfield High School.  He was a very active member of St. Benedict Catholic Church where he served as a Sacristan, a Server, played the organ and sang in the choir among other activities.

Jerry’s Masonic achievements have no rival.  He was raised a Master Mason in his hometown of Linton, IN, July 4, 1964 and later affiliated with Social Lodge #86 serving as their master in 1982.  He was active in the appendant bodies of the York Rite, Scottish Rite and Eastern Star serving in both local and State level offices, and serving numerous years as Grand Organist in all of them.  He was serving as Grand Organist of the Grand Lodge and Grand Lecture of the Grand Chapter at the time of his death.  Jerry was a 33 ^rd degree Scottish Rite Mason and also received its Meritorious Service Award, Knight York Cross of Honor, Knights Templar, Royal Arch Masons, DeMolay and an Honorary Member of too many additional lodges to list.

Jerry was truly a Terre Haute treasure.  He was an accomplished musician and spent a great deal of his life in music, as a singer, actor and organist.  He shared his gift of music with everyone who knew him including Community Theater of Terre Haute where he received numerous acting accolades, was an inductee in the Wabash Valley Musicians Hall of Fame and was invited to sing for First Lady Barbara Bush and President- to- be Ronald Reagan.

Visitation is scheduled from 3:00-8:00 PM, Monday, April 17, 2023, in Callahan & Hughes Funeral Home, 605 South 25 ^th Street.  Mass of Christian Burial will take place at 1:00 PM, Tuesday, April 18, 2023 in St. Benedict Catholic Church, 111 South 9 ^th St., with Father Bob Showers officiating.  A Masonic Memorial Service and 33 ^rd Degree Memorial Service will be conducted at a later date.  If friends should so desire, memorial contributions may be made to St. Benedict Catholic Church, 111 South 9 ^th Street, Terre Haute, IN 47807, or to Masonic Social Lodge #86, 224 North 8 ^th St., Terre Haute, IN 47807.

“Then I Met The Master”

Like a babe when it cries,

For it’s His mother.

Like a child I was helpless, alone.

Then, I met the Master.

Now, I am one of His own.

For all things were changed

When He found me.

And a new day broke out

All around me.

For, then, I met the Master.

Now, I belong to Him.

Like a blind man who walks in the darkness,

I had longed, I had searched for the Light.

Then, I met the Master.

Now, I walk no more in the night.

For all things were changed

When He found me.

And, yes, a new day broke out

All around me.

For, then, I met the Master.

Now I belong to Him.

Yes, then, I met the Master.

Now, I belong to Him.

Author: Thomas Mosie Lister

Funeral information and tributes may be found at www.callahanandhughes.com .