James E. Burns, 81, a former resident of the Paola and Osawatomie areas, died Tuesday, July 3, 2001, at his home in Coalville, Utah.

He was born Oct. 7, 1919, in Kansas City, Mo., to James H. and Louise Kiefer Burns. He attended schools in Paola and Osawatomie and was a 1938 graduate of Osawatomie High School.

He was married to Gwendolyn Shields on June 6, 1944. Their marriage \ended in divorce. He and Carma Wright were married Sept. 9, 1972.

Mr. Burns served in the U. S. Army during World War II.

He was employed by Continental Bank in Salt Lake City and by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. His position required temporary assignments throughout the United States and Puerto Rico. He retired in November 1984.

Mr. Burns served as mayor of Coalville for one term and as a city council member.

Surviving are is wife, Carma Burns of the home; his four children; a sister, Rosalie of Webster Grove, Mo.; eight grandchildren; four stepgrandsons; and two great-grandchildren.

Services were Saturday in Coalville, followed by burial in Coalville City Cemetery