James H. Burns, 80, of Indianapolis, Indiana, passed away January 13, 2013. Beloved son of Jesse and Olive Grace Burns, James was born in Akron, Indiana on May 1, 1932.

He was a 1954 graduate of Indiana Central College; he served in the US Army from 1955-57. After 35 years of service with Eli Lilly and Company, James retired in 1992 as an analytical chemist. James was an avid gardener and enjoyed reading.

Survivors, wife, Nancy L. Wilson Burns, whom he married in 1959; children, Lynette Bickers of Indianapolis, Denise (Joe) Winbigler of Clinton, Massachusetts, Becky Watters of Whiteland and David Burns of Indianapolis; 4 grandchildren, Cara Lowery, Jeremy Winbigler, Cheyenne Schumake and Jessica Winbigler; one great grandson, Ashton Lowery; brother, Howard (Kay) Burns; sister-in-law, Norma Jean Burns. Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by brother, Emerson Burns.

Pastor Kendall Faull will conduct funeral services 5:00 p.m. January 18, 2013 in Forest Lawn Funeral Home - 1977 South State Road 135, Greenwood, where friends may call from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. Entombment at Forest Lawn Memory Gardens, Greenwood.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Little Red Door Cancer Agency.