Greg Burns Obituary (1968 - 2022) - Bloomington, Illinois

Greg Burns, 53, of Bloomington, passed away at 11:30 AM on Monday, February 7th, 2022 at Carle Foundation Hospital in Urbana. There will be a private family memorial service at First Assembly of God Church, Normal. A celebration of life gathering will be held in April. Cremation rites have been accorded by Carmody-Flynn Funeral Home, Bloomington. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to First State Bank of Mendota at 502 N. Hershey Road, Bloomington IL, 61704- for the Greg Burns Memorial Fund: Dedicated to our kids, the CVICU unit of our superhero nurses, and dedicated to acts of kindness in his memory, to express condolences online, please visit www.carmodyflynn.com. He was born November 19th, 1968 in Normal, son of Thomas William and Janet Brady Burns. He married Noelle C. Stevens on June 14th, 1997 in Bloomington. Surviving are his wife, Noelle, of Bloomington; their children, Carter (22), Lilian (19) & Walker (18) Burns, all of Bloomington and two brothers, Steve (Lisa) Burns of Normal and Mike (Stacy) Burns of Metamora. Also surviving are his father and mother-in-law, Jim & Ruthann Stevens; brothers-in-law, Brian (Erika) Stevens, Brett Stevens and Joey Claypool; sisters-in-law, Carrie Stevens and Rebecca (Norm) Thoeming; several nieces and nephews and grand-nieces and nephews. He was proceeded in death by his parents. Greg was a 1986 graduate of Bloomington High School, where Carter and Lily both graduated as well, to be followed by Walker this coming May. He was in the 1991 graduating class of Illinois State University, where he received a Bachelor's Degree in Communication. Previously working for Country Mutual, and Washington School as a "lunch lady" (the asphalt jungle takes no prisoners), he found his purpose in staying at home with the kids. Greg was an outstanding father and he loved "being a dad". He was extremely involved with his children and all of their sporting events, especially football. Greg had the most beautiful blue eyes, an iconic smile and greatest hair care tips - He was the funniest person in the room. The best "trophy husband" and "Manny" there is. Greg was so kind and caring, not a mean bone in his body, always thinking of others. He knew how to do the "little things" amazingly well, always had the right words to say and could brighten up anyone's mood. There was never a day when his children didn't know he loved them, and he made sure of that. We would like to thank the amazing doctors and nurses at Carle Foundation Hospital in the CVICU (dubbed the "G-unit") who worked tirelessly and genuinely while they loved and cared for Greg; you have no idea what these nurses have been through with Covid these last two years. We would also like to thank the Jeff/Danielle Gilmore and Mark/Patti Brent families for being the greatest best friends in the whole world, as well as John Armstrong, Kelli Turner and my Re/Max Rising family for covering my butt these last six months. I am lucky, I love my job and I am so blessed to have "my people." Greg fought like hell for these past six months, allowing us the opportunity of saying goodbye that many do not get. He battled for us; climbing mountains to grant us just a little more time with him and we will forever be thankful. There were many moments during his fight that we thought we would lose him and didn't, and we are at peace knowing he passed on his own terms, with his family around him helping him through the process. He never let go of his fatherly duties, reassuring us that it was okay until the very end; in fact, Greg's last words to us were "oil changes," always taking care of us. I asked the kids to come up with one piece of advice their dad gave them: Carter - "Do your hair before bed because you never know who you will meet in your dreams." Lilian - "Don't be bogus, LOL." Walker - "Stay humble, if you are really that good people will talk about you." Greg had so many nicknames, some give, some self-described: Burns, Burnsie, the Gregger, fifty shades of Greg, Big Daddy Waffles, the Love Doctor, the Mac Daddy & the Daddy Mac. "I love you Greg Burns, you are 'my man' and I am 'your boo'...forever!"