John Allen Burian Sr.

Dearest John,
Even though we knew each other for 34&1/2 yrs. and were married for 32&1/2 years, it was not long enough. We went thru so many problems, but, we always stood together and our love never failed us. You were such a wonderful and devoted husband.You were always at my side, to help me, give me strength, do anything for me. Not a day goes by, that I do not think of you, and kiss your picture and talk to you, asking you to help and guide me. You were always such a devoted father & grandpa. We all miss you. We take comfort in knowing you are in Heaven and are now an Angel, feeling no pain. Having to not struggle for air, even though you were on Oxygen for the last 2 years. Darling, you gave it your best. We all remember what a wonderful husband, father & Grandpa you were. We are always telling the babies about Pa-Pa. At 1st all I wanted to do was join you, but, God let me know that is not what you or God had planned for me right now. I am getting along OK, you are guiding me, this I know. The kids and Kim & Marja and myself are always talking about you. I am so glad that on our 25th Anniversary, we did renew our wedding vows. That meant allot to both of us. My Darling John, I still love you and carry you in my heart, forever. I must go on, but, someday will be joined with you again. I am so sorry that the last 6 days of your life had to be spent in the hospital, and the last day on a VENT, there was so much I wanted to tell you, but, had to make you stay quiet, so you could breath. You did not know that the night before you died, I was at your side all night. I was so happy when our son, John made it up on your last morning from Tenn. John helped me with putting you on the Vent, 12 hours later, we did as you wanted, we pulled the plug, you went to God in peace. All of us remember, after the vent was pulled off, you moving your eye-brows to our questions and seeing that 1 tear roll down your face, and right before you took your last breath, I asked you to give me a sign that you would always be with me, you did, you winked at me. Thank you John for that and for being the wonderful man you were. You would have been so proud of the way John Jr. took charge and helped me make all the arrangements. It was like he turned from a boy into a man over-night. I love you my Darling John, I always will. I must go on with-out you, but I know you are at my side at all times. I love you, save a place for me up there. Its not good-bye..... its just till we meet again, as God has promised we will someday.
Love you, your loving wife , Sandra
February 6, 2000

DAD, THERE ARE 2 THINGS THAT I WANTED TO SAY TO YOU, BUT WE WERE UNABLE TO GET THERE IN TIME. THEY ARE... I LOVE YOU AND I'M SORRY. THERE WERE SOME BAD THINGS GOING ON THAT LAST YEAR AND I COULD HAVE STOPPED SOME OF IT BUT FEAR HAD TAKEN OVER AND I'M TRULY SORRY. YOU HAVE ALWAYS BEEN A WONDERFUL FATHER-IN-LAW, PERHAPS THE BEST. YOU WERE ALWAYS SO KIND AND FUNNY. YOU ALWAYS MADE ME LAUGH. ADAM REALLY MISSES YOU. YOU WOULD BE VERY PROUD OF HIM. HE IS LIKE YOU IN A LOT OF WAYS. HE IS VERY KIND AND LOVING AND A WONDERFUL FATHER. JUST YESTERDAY, WE WERE WALKING OUT IN THE COUNTRY AND ADAM WAS SAYING HOW HE COULD ASK YOU ANYTHING AND YOU ALWAYS HAD ANSWER AND HE HOPES THAT HE WILL BE THE SAME WITH HIS CHILDREN. AS YOU KNOW WE HAVE A SON, BRIAN. YOU KNOW WHO HE IS AS YOU HELPED PICK HIM OUT. HE SNORES ALLOT LIKE YOU. WHEN HE DOES WE SAY THAT GRANDPA IS VISITING. WE HAVE SEVERAL PICTURES OF YOU AROUND THE HOUSE AND EVEN IN THE CAR. WE ARE CONSTANTLY TELLING THE KIDS ABOUT YOU. ELIZABETH REMEMBERS YOU AND KNOW THAT YOU ARE IN HEAVEN WATCHING OVER US. IT IS VERY HARD AT TIMES AS WE MISS YOU TERRIBLY. WE KNOW YOU ARE IN A BETTER PLACE, FAR FROM PAIN AND SADNESS, IT JUST HURTS KNOWING THAT WE CAN'T BE TOGETHER RIGHT NOW.

WE LOVE AND MISS YOU!!
LOVE,
ADAM, KELLY, ELIZABETH AND BRIAN

Hi papa,

I love you, Papa

Mommy, Daddy and Ma are doing a great job at keeping your memory alive. They have told me about how proud of a grandpa you were when you watched me being born. Remember when mommy and I flew up in a airplane to see you and ma when I was really small and in the airport you put a tag on my foot while saying "Baby For Sale, Baby For Sale".
Ma says you are the one who gave me my nickname "Diddle Diddle" and also made up a special dance for it.
You would always call it the Diddle Diddle Dance, and yes now I can do it, even the Boop Boop at the end.
Daddy says that one time when mommy came back from visiting with you and Ma that you kept me and sent mommy back home with my monkey (I still sleep with it).
They also tell me that you were the one that gave me my first taste of ice cream, pudding and graham cracker, and at my 1st birthday you let me get more of my cake ON me and not IN me.
I have a picture on my dresser of us that was taken on my 1st Christmas (the one when we all went to Nashville)it is of you and I by a really big Frosty. Though you are not here for me to give you a great big giant kiss on the your furry cheek, every night on my way to bed I stop to give you and Frosty a kiss goodnight.
And now this one is for you "PA"
A Hey Diddle Diddle In The Cat And The Fiddle And The Cow Jumped Over The Moon BOOP BOOP !!!!!
I love you and miss you lots!!
LOVE YOUR DIDDLE DIDDLE GIRL
Submitted by Sandra
February 8, 2000

my Dad

I love you and miss you so very much.

As my dad you were the most influential man in my life.

You have taught me so many important lessons in life.

Like when you were teaching me how to drive a car and we got pulled over by the COPS because they thought I was drunk and you had to explain that I was just learning how to drive. Remember when we tried to start the car again and it wouldn't start the cop asked us if we needed a ride and we took him up on his offer. I know that was the only time I have ever been pulled over for a DUI (or Driving Under Instruction).

Thinking back to my 13th birthday, you had sent flowers and balloons to the house. If you remember we always celebrated moms and my own birthday together since the birthdays are only a day apart. On my birthday you took me miniature golfing and to get my ears pierced a 2nd time(talking about a hole in one or 2). Dad why with all your tools,and your dedication for perfection, did you not offer to pierce them yourself is beyond me, you could have saved money.

Remember on the farm when all of us kids would show the pigs at the fair for purchase. You took all us kids to the butcher after they were bought to show how they processed the pigs. I still to this day think that was the most difficult lesson you have taught me.

Some of the most interesting memories was the family projects. Now I'm only going to mention a few, the ones with my husband Chad. The first is doing the patio, I remember how the three of us were digging up the ground by the back door so we could measure for the cement. You were so patient with us KIDS. Don't forget, the dog kennel, teaching me how to use a electric screwdriver and everytime I missed the SPOT (you gave me that snarl), and my most memorable was teaching me how to install a light switch (shocking). We also had done projects that required me to go to the HARDWARE STORE numerous times in a hour 1/2 to get the perfect nuts and bolts for the porch. I also remember working on the pool and how we were lucky you took control after we told you we had to dig 6 feet deep when it was only 6 inches. The ground had to be so flat for the pool you pulled out your trusty level. Finally the last big project we did together was the garage. You had Angel and I help you replace the old garage door with a new door.

I chose the picture of us because that is one of my most precious memories I will carry in my heart forever. I was so very lucky to have you walking down the ilse with me during my wedding. You looked so happy and proud of me. Remember when we danced at the wedding reception I thought that was the most wonderful day of my life. But I also believe the day I gave birth to our Diddle Girl was also one of the most wonderful days of my life. I was so glad you, mom and Angel were able to stay for the delivery. You had that I'm a proud DAD/PAPA look. I will never forget the first time you held Diddle in your arms or the next day when you held her again and she stuck her hand in your mouth.

Dad you were the greatest, I will miss you and love you always.

Submitted by Heidi

we love you

DAD, WE ALL MISS YOU SO VERY MUCH. I WANTED YOU TO SEE THE PICTURE OF MY FAMILY. BRIAN IS GETTING SO BIG AND GETTING INTO EVERYTHING. I KNOW YOU ARE WATCHING DOWN FROM HEAVEN AND SEEING EVERYTHING WE DO. PLEASE BE THERE FOR MY WEDDING JUNE 10TH, 2000. PROTECT US ALL WITH YOUR ANGEL WINGS.

LOVE FOREVER FROM ALL OF US. ADAM, KELLY, ELIZABETH & BRIAN.

February 22, 2000

Hi Grampa ( PAPA ), I know that there are holes in Heaven that you can look down and see me any time you want to now. You can watch me do every thing you never had a chance to watch me do before. Grampa, You were so special in my life. You saw me when I was only 5 min. old, you brought me home from the hospital, because Daddy's car would not start. Because we lived next door to you & gramma, we were so very close. You put all your energy into me.

Remember, when I was real small, you and I would go to bed real early and play with the flash-lights and put fake rats & snakes in bed for Gramma to find??

You took me to the Wi. Dells water parks and went down all the big slides with me.

Remember, when I caught my very 1st. fish????? It cost you $20.00 because it was at a Trout Farm???

I will always remember, Halloween time for all the wonderful memories, like you playing a Ghoul for me, always picking out the biggest pumkin for me and carving it with me. The time you and Uncle Adam made me a huge corn stalk, decorated with lights, and let me use it as a fort. I will always remember everything we did together.

How, at only 1 yr. old, you wanted me to be part of your wedding party , when you & Gramma renewed your vows, Daddy carried me down the ailse as your ring bearer, all dressed in white.

On your 50th. B-Day, how we went to Wi. Dells, and had such a great time, riding the boats, climbing the rocks, ect. it was a very special day for all of us.

Gramma, still has my train, that you got me and told me it was mine. It is still in the front-room, by your picture. Also the brass bull-dog bank.

PAPA, because of trouble in the family, I was not allowed to see you that much during your last year, because of my parents divorce. But, the day after your last Thanksgiving, you & Gramma took me on the BIG Santa Train, with all of us sitting in the big Dome car. I am so glad and happy that we got to see each other that last time. You taught me how to ride the garden tractor, gave me my love of trains, and gave me so much love. PAPA you are the Best. Please watch down on me now and protect me. I know now that you can, you are watching me all the time.

Love and kisses, You're my Angel Grampa,..... your J.J.

PS. I am now going on 11 yrs. old. I love you Grampa and always will remember you, for always. I am so happy to have your name, just like my daddy.

February 26, 2000

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