Harold Max Burns, 81, a lifelong resident of Cherokee, Kansas died at 6:55 A.M., Sunday, May 31, 2009 at his home in Cherokee. He was born October 20, 1927 in rural Pittsburg, Kansas to John C. and Myrtle (Burris) Burns. He grew up in Beulah, Kansas and graduated from Crawford Community High School in Cherokee in 1948. He married Carol Frances Ruth on September 21, 1950 at the Osage Church of the Brethren near McCune, Kansas. She survives of the home. He served as Sergeant First Class in the US Army from October 11, 1950 until August 30, 1956. He received the Korean Service Medal, the Combat Infantry Medal, and the Occupation of Japan Medal. He worked at Hull and Dillon in Pittsburg, the Kansas Army Ammunition Plant in Parsons, KS, and the BF Goodrich plant in Miami, Oklahoma from 1973 until it closed and then as a pipefitter through the Frontenac Plumbers and Steamfitters Local 441.He had also served on the city council and as a Little League baseball coach in Cherokee. He was a member of the Beulah Community Church and served in various capacities. He was an active board member and a former chairman of the board. He enjoyed spending time with his family, attending Army reunions, traveling, gardening, and fishing. Survivors include his wife, Carol, of the home; one daughter, Cathy Allen and her husband Pat of Arcadia, Kansas; two sons, Randy Burns and his wife Connie of Cherokee and Jeff Burns and his wife Denise of Cherokee; two brothers, Willard Burns of Mulberry, KS and Joe Burns of Cherokee; two sisters, Alice Cherry of Parsons, KS and Norma Washington of Joplin, MO; two granddaughters, Daisy Burns of Cherokee, and Hailey Sprague and husband Tim of Arcadia; five grandsons, Ben Burns and wife Becky of Carthage, MO, Chris Burns and wife Heather of Cherokee, Jake Burns and Henry Max Burns of Cherokee, and Brandon Allen and wife Betty of Arcadia; ten great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by five brothers, Marshall Burns, Melvin Burns, Millard Burns, Donald Burns, and Roy Burns; two sisters, Anna Sterling and June Jones; and one great-grandson, Cory Allen. Funeral services will be at 2:00 P.M. Tuesday June 2nd at the Smith-Carson-Wall Funeral Home in Girard, KS with Pastor Murray Balk officiating. Burial will be in the Beulah Cemetery with military honors conducted by the Fort Riley Casualty Detail. The family will receive friends from 7:00 - 8:30 P.M., Monday at Smith-Carson-Wall Funeral Home in Girard where friends may call after 2:00 P.M. Monday. Memorials are suggested to the Beulah Community Church and these may be left at the Smith-Carson-Wall Funeral Home at 518 W St., Girard, 66743