Wesley and Marilyn

Marilyn Jean Burns, 88, nurse’s aide, writer, and talented crafter passed away peacefully on Sunday, November 29, 2020, in Charleston, WV.

Born on December 31, 1931, in Bridgeport, CT, she had a talent for crafting and a gift for sewing. She made clothes for all four of her children and grandchildren, including a wedding gown and veil for her daughter. While navigating a career as a mother of four children and nurse’s aide at Muhlenberg Hospital in Plainfield, NJ, she also enjoyed freestyle writing, publishing several articles and short stories. Marilyn also had a gift for gab. Phone calls with her routinely averaged an hour or so. 

Of her many accomplishments in life, the one she was most proud of was as partner to her soulmate and husband of 67 years, Wesley.

Wesley Charles Burns, 92, Sergeant, USMC (Ret.), chef, police officer, and talented musician passed away peacefully on Monday, July 31, 2023, in Charleston, WV.

Born on January 6, 1931, in Riverside, NJ, he was a multi-instrumentalist, self-taught on the guitar, ukulele, drums, clarinet, and saxophone and played in multiple community orchestras in NJ and WV. He served honorably in the United States Marine Corps as a combat veteran of the Korean War, 1st Marine Division, receiving multiple medals, ribbons, and citations. He proudly served as a Police Officer in Plainfield, NJ from 1959 to 1969 and as a Federal Police Officer and Criminal Investigator. Wesley had a gift for cooking and food preparation. He always knew how to make a watermelon into a swan for the picnic table.

Of all his accomplishments in life, the one he was most proud of was his marriage and union of 67 years to his bride, Marilyn.

Two people who met and courted through improbable circumstances in Dunellen, NJ, formed an impenetrable bond, and became one.

A love story for the ages, unbroken even in death.   

Together they are survived by; their daughter Sarah Maureen Mathias and husband Terry of Charleston, WV.; sons Michael Burns and wife Wendy of Rockaway, NJ, Matthew Burns and wife Mandy of Piscataway, NJ, and Martin Burns and wife Candice of Aurora, CO; grandchildren Sean Burns and wife Liza of New Hampshire, Finnian, McKenna, and Maxwell Burns of Piscataway, NJ, Gabrielle and Emily Burns of Aurora, CO; and great grandsons Cullen and Ashton Burns of Connecticut.

A Memorial gathering to celebrate Marilyn and Wesley will be held on Thursday, June 20, 2024 from 6 - 9 pm at the funeral home.  Donations in the their memory may be made to the good work of Toys For Tots.  Military honors for Wesley will take place that evening.  Semper fi. 

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Wesley and Marilyn, please visit our floral store.