Dorcas Burns

Mrs. Dorcas Ruby “Dorkey” Wilhour Burns went to be with the Lord on September 12th, 2018 from her home in Overland Park, KS at the age of 91.

Dorkey loved her husband Bill, children Barbara Ehresman (husband Tim), Joanne Bartel (husband Steve), and Troy Burns (wife Cathy), grandchildren Andrew and Alyssa Bartel, Amy Burns Carson (husband Tim and their daughter Katie), Jenna, Chris, and Kari Burns, and her Lord Jesus Christ.

She was born August 11th, 1927 at her family home in Stonington, PA to Andrew Floyd Wilhour and Fannie Ruth Lauver Wilhour. Her siblings were Dick, Lois, Naomi, Leah and Jean. She graduated from Sunbury High School in 1945 and attended business school in Harrisburg, PA before completing her training to be an airline stewardess at McConnell School in Minneapolis, MN in 1950.

Dorkey worked for Ozark Airlines from 1950-1954 as an original airline stewardess on DC-3 aircrafts. While working at Ozark, she met William Troy Burns who was a station manager for Ozark Airlines in Cape Girardeau, MO. They married in 1954 and remained married for 56 years before Bill preceded her in death. During those years, Dorkey and Bill raised a family in Florissant, MO.

As the namesake of the Biblical Dorcas/Tabitha (whose story is told in Acts 9:36-42), she was “abounding with deeds of kindness and charity which she continually did.” Her servant’s heart was evident in all of her relationships.

There will be a private memorial service for immediate family to celebrate Dorkey's life. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Foundation Twelve48 Fund at https://give.idonate.com/the-signatry-foundation/the-foundation-twelve48-fund or checks may be sent to: Foundation Twelve48 Fund in c/o Troy Burns at 17838 Cody St, Overland Park, KS 66221.

The family would like to thank Great Lakes Caring Hospice for their care and support.