Our loving headstrong cowboy "Ed" Burns, age 85, of Maumee, Ohio and formerly of Northwood, Ohio died peacefully in his sleep on December 18th after a long battle with heart disease and congestive heart failure. He was born to Tom and Guila Burns on March 28, 1938. His family was complex and full of both biological and half siblings so at family reunions his children always asked, "How are they all related to us again?"

He met the love of his life Erika Burns on a blind date in 1963 and were married June 27, 1964 at Sacred Heart Church. They would have celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary in June 2024.

They quickly began growing their family, starting with eldest Carol (John) McHale, followed by Lisa (Mark) Beauch, Paul (Leigh) Burns, and youngest Christopher (Melissa) Burns. He was so proud of them and all they accomplished. He loved being outdoors and traveled with his family in tow in a wood-sided station wagon and camper; settling eventually on a permanent site at Lazy River Campground where they had many treasured memories of campfires, fishing, swimming and dancing.

Although Ed loved hunting, fishing, and restoring his Jeepster, his favorite activity was being a grandparent. He treasured his time with them, occasionally surprising them with visits taking them out to eat with their Grandma Erika. His grandchildren are Alaina (Chaz) Price, Rachel McHale, always known as Poppa to, Mark Beauch, Julia (Austin) Kastl, Casey Burns, Kristen Burns, and Aiden Burns.

When great-grandchildren, came to be he couldn't get to Georgia fast enough even though his and his wife's health was starting to fail. We are so glad they were able to enjoy Sawyer and Forrest Kastl and have such precious pictures and memories of their visit.

Ed and Erika's best friends were Tom and Vici Higginbotham. Tom was Ed's reliable confidante and solid rationale advice giver. He preceded Ed in death and the friends are now reunited.

Ed loved being an electrician and worked at Jeep for 37 years and retired in 1998. Ed was always the first to sign up to learn something new in his field or to sharpen his skills. He was involved in many committees and organizations including Boy Scouts of America, UAW, Birmingham Neighbor Coalition, Northwood Planning Commission, and the Greater Toledo Sportsman Association.

Ed will always be remembered for his feisty spirit, his ability to take anything apart and make it truly his and one of a kind. He always said, "I am just a cowboy without a horse." We are all hoping he has one now. He will truly be missed as he was definitely one of a kind. His memory will live on in the hearts of all those who have loved him.

A special thanks to Maumee Pointe Assisted Living; Heather (for her stubbornness that matched his), Sam (for being his ticket to freedom and fun activities), Dawn (for leading all of the special nurses and aides that cared for him and loved him like family), Tara (her special interest in horses that bonded them) and the many other nurses and residents who befriended both of our parents and made Dad's last year of life so special and filled with love and fun.

Ed is preceded in death by his parents, Tom and Guila; siblings, Tom, Milton, Eli, Joanne, Ruthie; best friend, Tom Higginbotham; and many other friends and family members he cherished.

Visitation for Edwin James Burns will be held on Thursday, December 28, 2023, from 2-8:00 p.m. at Eggleston Meinert & Pavley Funeral Home, Oregon Chapel 440 S. Coy, Oregon, Ohio 43616, where services will be held on Friday December 29, 2023 at 12:00 p.m. Interment will follow at Restlawn Memorial Park Chapel, 3665 Genoa Rd, Perrysburg, Ohio 53551. In lieu of flowers, donations in Ed's name may be made to American Heart Association and the Alzheimer's Association.