Joseph Peter Burns, 67, of Dubuque, IA, formerly of Basking Ridge, NJ, passed away at 12:30 A/M, on Tuesday, August 27, 2019, at home, following a prolonged illness, with his family by his side.

The Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 A/M, on Saturday, August 31, 2019, at St. Mary's Church, in East Dubuque, with Fr. Peter Snieg officiating.  Burial will be in Mt. Olivet Cemetery, in Key West, IA, with military honors accorded by members of the Dubuque Marine Corps League

Visitation will be from 2 P/M to 7 P/M, on Friday, August 30, 2019, and from 8:45 A/M to 9:45 A/M, on Saturday, August 31, 2019, at the Miller Funeral Home, in East Dubuque, where the parish rosary will be recited at 1:30 P/M, on Friday.

Joe was born on July 22, 1952, in Phillipsburg, NJ, the son of Joseph P. and Elinor Mae (Wolfe) Burns.  He was a graduate of Gill St. Bernard's Prep School, Gladstone, NJ, and Lehigh University, Bethlehem, PA.  Joe was a member of the Army Reserves Special Forces Airborne.

He was united in marriage to Maria Droessler, formerly of Kieler, WI, on November 18, 1989, at St. Patrick's Church, in Dubuque.  Joe was employed at Hormel Foods, in Dubuque, and was a member of St. Mary's Parish, in East Dubuque.

Surviving are his wife, Maria; their daughter, Fiona Burns, of Dubuque, IA; his siblings, Timothy (Diane) Burns, of Royal Palm Beach, Fl, Susan (Todd) Craig, of Houston, TX, and Brigid (Ron) Rizzo, of Long Valley, NJ; his in-laws, William (Sharon) Droessler, of McFarland, WI, Sally Jo (Randal) Halford, of Georgetown, TX, Terrence (Sue) Droessler, of Columbus, WI; and twelve nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Joe's family wishes to "thank" the staff at the University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center, in Madison, and Hospice of Dubuque, for the wonderful care given to Joe, their beloved husband and father.

Online condolences may be left for the family at www.millerfhed.com