Conradene “Connie” (nee Burckel) Burns, 88, of Breckenridge Village, Willoughby, Ohio, went to her heavenly home on August 10, 2017, surrounded by her loving family. Connie was born in Jackson, Michigan, on July 16, 1929, the only child of Hattie and Conrad Burckel.
Connie married her high school sweetheart, William “Bill” Burns, on November 26, 1949. After moving to Chardon, Ohio, Bill and Connie started Western Reserve Office Supply in 1968 (still in the family and operated by their daughter); The Islands, an exercise, nutrition and tanning center, and Bil-Dene Enterprises, a property management company.
Connie will always be remembered by family and friends as the hostess of many wonderful parties. She loved to cook, decorate and dress up for every holiday to the amusement and admiration of everyone. She worked for decades serving on the Geauga Maple Festival Board, as Entertainment Director and President . Connie and husband Bill, both avid Bridge players, established the Chardon Hilltoppers Duplicate Bridge Group which is still a very active club today.
Loving memories of Connie will be carried on by her three “Darling Daughters” – Pamela (Eric) West of Chardon, Trish (Jack) Ricchiuto of Twinsburg, and Carole (Mark) Wright of Westerville, Ohio. In addition, her five grandsons of whom she was so proud – Matthew (Madeline) West of Chardon, John (Renata) Ricchiuto of Twinsburg, Tom Ricchiuto of Columbus, Mark David (Michelle) Wright of Dayton and John Michael Wright of Westerville. Connie was so happy to be “Nannie” to her grandchildren and to the next generation, her beautiful great-granddaughters, Elizabeth and Charlotte West.
She was preceded in death by her husband William E. Burns.
Connie’s unabiding faith in her Savior, Jesus Christ, gave her joy which was apparent throughout her life. She was a true friend to so many and a guiding light to her family.
Please visit the family from 4pm-7pm on Friday, August 18, 2017 at Burr Funeral Home, 116 South Street, Chardon, Ohio 44024. A Celebration of Life will be on Saturday, August 19th at 2pm at Breckenridge Village Lyons Chapel, 36855 Ridge Rd., Willoughby, Ohio 44094. Memorial contributions are suggested to Chardon Baptist Church, 363 Wilson Mills Road, Chardon, Ohio 44024.