Erma Jo Burnham passed away December 20, 2023 at Lower Cape Fear Hospice in Wilmington, North Carolina. She was born September 27, 1931, to the late Erma (Lowery) Bisby and Joseph Bisby in Niles, Michigan. Erma Jo was a stay-at home mother until her youngest child entered junior high school. She then began working in retail in Niles. Erma Jo (E.J.) moved to Port Huron, Michigan in the late 1970s and worked at Port Huron Hospital in the Radiology Department. Following her retirement from the hospital, she moved to Kalamazoo, Michigan where she worked as a receptionist for Kalamazoo Center for Medical Studies. Following her second retirement E.J. enjoyed spending time with her family. She loved reading, music (jazz), old movies, and her kitties. In 2016, E.J. moved with her daughter and son-in-law to Wilmington where she enjoyed the temperate weather. She liked to sit outside and admire the flowers and was amused by the birds and animals that frequented the yard.
E.J. was preceded in death by her parents, her sister Judy Bisby, and her eldest son Jim Burnham. She is survived by four siblings: Marilyn Anter of Port Huron, Michigan, Robert (Barbara) Bisby of Menasha, Wisconsin, Joseph (Linda) Bisby of Farfield, California, and Claudia (Bruce) Williams of Mishawaka, Indiana. She is also survived by her son Chris Burnham of Manchester, Michigan, and her daughter Jeanine (Ken) Bartholomew of Wilmington, North Carolina in addition to many nieces and nephews.
Cremation has taken place. Her ashes will be scattered in some of her favorite places in Michigan later this year.
Coastal Cremations 6 Jacksonville St., Wilmington NC 28403
910.392.6032
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