98-year-old Albion, Illinois resident Leo A. Burns died Saturday, July 13, 2013 at Wabash General Hospital in Mt. Carmel, Illinois. He was a harness race horse trainer and driver. In June of 2012, Leo became the oldest known winning driver in the sport when he drove his 8-year-old mare, Winsome Wyoming to victory in the fifth race of the Wayne County Fair in Fairfield, Illinois. He had more than 450 career wins and is credited with earnings of over $400,000 over nearly five decades of racing. Leo was a member of the Illinois Harness Racing Association, the U.S. Trotting Association, and the Albion Moose Lodge.
Leo was born February 21, 1915 in Tama, Iowa to William Dowell and Dessee Westerfield. He was united in marriage June 12, 1946 in Missouri to Marjorie L. Mann who died September 22, 2003.
Survivors include two sons Douglas Vavra and his wife Carolyn of Laurel, Iowa and Ed Burns of Marshalltown, Iowa; 5 grandchildren, and several great grandchildren.
Leo was preceded in death by his wife, parents, 3 sisters, and 2 brothers.
Leo was born February 21, 1915 in Tama, Iowa to William Dowell and Dessee Westerfield. He was united in marriage June 12, 1946 in Missouri to Marjorie L. Mann who died September 22, 2003.
Survivors include two sons Douglas Vavra and his wife Carolyn of Laurel, Iowa and Ed Burns of Marshalltown, Iowa; 5 grandchildren, and several great grandchildren.
Leo was preceded in death by his wife, parents, 3 sisters, and 2 brothers.
98-year-old Albion, Illinois resident Leo A. Burns died Saturday, July 13, 2013 at Wabash General Hospital in Mt. Carmel, Illinois. He was a harness race horse trainer and driver. In June of 2012, Leo became the oldest known winning driver in the sport when he drove his 8-year-old mare, Winsome Wyoming to victory in the fifth race of the Wayne County Fair in Fairfield, Illinois. He had more than 450 career wins and is credited with earnings of over $400,000 over nearly five decades of racing. Leo was a member of the Illinois Harness Racing Association, the U.S. Trotting Association, and the Albion Moose Lodge.
Leo was born February 21, 1915 in Tama, Iowa to William Dowell and Dessee Westerfield. He was united in marriage June 12, 1946 in Missouri to Marjorie L. Mann who died September 22, 2003.
Survivors include two sons Douglas Vavra and his wife Carolyn of Laurel, Iowa and Ed Burns of Marshalltown, Iowa; 5 grandchildren, and several great grandchildren.
Leo was preceded in death by his wife, parents, 3 sisters, and 2 brothers.
Leo was born February 21, 1915 in Tama, Iowa to William Dowell and Dessee Westerfield. He was united in marriage June 12, 1946 in Missouri to Marjorie L. Mann who died September 22, 2003.
Survivors include two sons Douglas Vavra and his wife Carolyn of Laurel, Iowa and Ed Burns of Marshalltown, Iowa; 5 grandchildren, and several great grandchildren.
Leo was preceded in death by his wife, parents, 3 sisters, and 2 brothers.
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