Bess Burns

Bess J. Burns, age 86, passed away from cancer on February 21, 2016. She was preceded in death by her husband, Eugene (Luke) Burns, her parents, Orville H. Griffin and Elizabeth Griffin, her only sister, Sharon Lynne Roe, and son-in-law, Malcolm E. Wiselogel. She was born in Covington, Kentucky and moved to Dayton, Ohio shortly after. She graduated from Fairview High School in 1948 and married the love of her life in 1949. They settled in Kettering, Ohio in 1959 and enjoyed a happy life raising three daughters, Marcia Lyn Schade (Donald), Vicki Jo Grommon and Kimberlee Nan Wiselogel (Malcolm).

She and Luke spent so many joyful winters in Vero Beach, Florida in their "cottage by the sea" and many wonderful summers on their houseboat on Lake Cumberland. For many years, they went out ballroom dancing every Saturday night, even took lessons and won a trophy or two in competition.
After losing Luke, Bess started playing Bingo, mostly at Ascension Church, and made many friends she looked forward to seeing every Thursday night. She also enjoyed trips to the casinos with them. She loved to plant and watch things grow, and was a master of all things miniature. She decorated many dollhouses (some built by Luke). Her talent for this was like no other and she loved every minute spent in her craft room. She enjoyed shopping and buying gifts to make people happy. She and Luke used to love celebrating Christmas by having both sides of their family over for a huge dinner and presents for all.

She was blessed with nine grandchildren, Jon, James, Jennifer, Julie, Shane, Tiffany, Ashley, Lacey, and Lonni, and fifteen great-grandchildren who knew her as "Grandy." In the last three years, she was overjoyed to be able to spend lots of time with her two newest great-grandbabies, Camden and Cara. Now, she is finally reunited with Luke and many family members and good friends she's been missing so much.
Per Bess's wishes, no public services will be held. In her memory, memorial donations may be made to Hospice of Dayton.