Keith John Burns, 72, died Monday, June 30, 2008 at the Flandreau Medical Center. He was born August 8, 1935 in Yankton to Merle and Rose (Medeck) Burns. He graduated from Menno High School and received his Bachelor's Degree from Southern State Teachers College in Springfield, SD. He received his Master's Degree from Washington University in St. Louis, MO. Keith served in the United States Army for two years, spending most of his time in Panama. Then he moved to California and was a research chemist for Purex Chemical Company helping invent epoxy glue for NASA. Keith moved back to South Dakota in 1964 and taught in Gregory and Ft. Pierre before moving to Flandreau in 1966. He taught chemistry at Flandreau High School for 31 years. Keith married Sharon Schnabel on June 30, 1968 in Menno, SD. He enjoyed baseball and was an avid Red Sox fan. Keith enjoyed big band music, gardening, cooking, spending time with his grandson, and movies; going back to the days when his parents owned the Roxy Theatre in Menno. He was a member of the Second Presbyterian Church.

He is survived by his wife, Sharon; 3 children, John (Sandra) Burns, Sioux City, Julie Taylor, Flandreau, and Michael Burns, Sioux Falls; and one grandson, Zachary. He was preceded in death by his parents.

Funeral services will be 10:30 am Thursday at the Second Presbyterian Church, Flandreau, with burial in Union Cemetery. Visitation begins at 2:00 pm Wednesday with the family present from 4 – 7 pm at Skroch Funeral Chapel.