GEORGE MORTON BURNS Indianola Services for George M. Burns, 100, who died Thursday, December 27, 2012, will be held 10:30 a.m., Monday, December 31 at Center Chapel United Methodist Church, west of Indianola. Burial will be in the Hewitt Cemetery, rural Indianola. George Morton Burns was born on April 21, 1912, to William Wilson Burns and Lucy (Morton) Burns. He grew up on a farm in rural Indianola and graduated from St. Marys high school in 1930. He volunteered for service in the Unites States Navy during WWII, returning to work on the family farm when his service ended. On August 3, 1947, he was united in marriage to Harriett "Maxine" Powers. They purchased a farm in rural Indianola (Mt. Hope Community) where they raised crops, livestock, 3 sons and 1 daughter. In addition to farming, George carried mail at the Indianola Post Office for 20 years. George was a member of center Chapel United Methodist Church, American Legion Post #165, and the Iowa Farm Bureau. George felt blessed to have lived 100 years, and in turn was a blessing to many. He will be remembered for his devotion to his wife and family, his faith in God, his eternal optimism, his sunny disposition, his love of hugs and sports, and his greeting no matter what the weather, "It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood!" George was preceded in death by his parents and brothers, Clark, Wayne and Carl. He is survived by his wife, Maxine; sons, Larry (Jan) of Lucas, Mike (Diana) of West Des Moines and Bob (Kim) of Indianola; daughter, Kathy (Earl) Sides of Des Moines; ten grandchildren, Tammy (Brad) Woodhouse and Chris (Bob) Riggs, Alec and Chelsea Burns, Jeff (Kyla) Burns and Kara (Jonathan) Guzman, and Ben, Sam, Emily and Maggie Sides; five great-grandchildren, Mike and Maren Woodhouse, Hannah and Katelyn Riggs and Ada Burns; and one sister, Ilo (Harris) Eveland of Indianola. Visitation will be held 5 to 8 p.m., Sunday, December 30 at Overton Funeral Home in Indianola, where family will be present to greet friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Memorials may be made to Center Chapel United Methodist Church, of which he was a life-long member.