David D. Burns, 31,
of Chesterton, died Thursday, June 14, 2018, under the care of Dunes Hospice
in Michigan City, Indiana. Edmonds & Evans Funeral Home, Heritage Crematory
handled final arrangements.
David was born on
September 19, 1986.
Survivors include
his mother, Diane R. Burns, of Newbern, Tennessee; brother Adam (Dave) Casko
of Portage; brother Aaron (Caylee and Jakob) Casko of Winamac; beloved
grandma Helen M. Parnell of Chesterton; uncle Richard (Dorothy and Elaine)
Burns of Portage; numerous other family members including half-siblings,
cousins, aunts and uncles.
Preceded in death
by his father, David D. Bates, of Reed City, MI; grandfather, Billy R.
Parnell of Chesterton; grandfather Reginald M. Burns of Hampden, ME;
grandparents Marvin and Beverly Bates of Reed City, MI; great-grandparents
John and Veronica Dulemba of Huntley, IL; and great-grandmother Alice B.
Charpentier of Somersworth, NH.
The family would
like to express gratitude and appreciation to David’s first nurse, Sue
Brennan, of Chesterton, special nurse and friend, Kerri Gurgon and the staff
at the Infusion Center of Porter Regional Hospital, Dr. Mary Klein and her
staff in Chesterton, and the entire staff of Dunes Hospice, Valparaiso.
A Memorial Mass in
David’s honor will take place at 9:00 a.m. on Saturday, September 29, at St.
Patrick’s Catholic Church in Chesterton, with Father Jon Plavcon
officiating. A luncheon will immediately follow at Chapel Hall.
David was diagnosed
with hypogammaglobulinemia as an infant; spino-cerebellar ataxia and
blindness (optical nerve atrophy) as a young adult. David was an avid
fisherman, and before his wheelchair confinement, he spent countless hours
in pursuit of salmon on Salt Creek. His diseases didn’t define him. He was a
kind, beautiful soul. He was accepting of others, and just wanted to be
loved and accepted in return. His generosity and spirit touched all those
who knew him, and he will never be forgotten.