John Thomas Tom Carns 73 died Tuesday January 4 2011 at his home. He was born September 27 1937 to James Marion Carns and Nellie Leona Johnson Carns at Monmouth Illinois. Tom served in the Illinois National Guard. Tom spent 32 years with the Illinois Department of Conservation Police/Dept. of Natural Resources Police. Tom was an excellent boat operator and commercial fishing enforcement officer. Tom also served as an Instructor and Advisor for Ducks Are Limited training schools and did an excellent job training bother veteran and new Conservation Police Officer Trainees. He was an avid and skilled waterfowl hunter who was a very good duck and goose caller and excellent wing shot. He was a gun and coin collector. Tom was a very private but kind helpful neighbor. Survivors include a sister in law Carol Carns of Burlington Iowa five nieces Valerie Adams and husband Tony of New London Iowa Yvonne Carns of Chicago Illinois Jennifer Carns and partner Jina Swift of Iowa City Iowa Casey Harris of Peoria Illinois and Yvette Biddle and her husband Matt of Geneseo Illinois and 7 great nieces and nephews. Also surviving are a host of fellow conservation officers neighbors and friends. A Celebration of Life and Dinner will be held Saturday January 8 2011 at 5:00 PM at the Downing Fire Station in Downing Missouri. As an expression of sympathy memorials may be given to the State Conservation Department. They may be left at the celebration or mailed to Memphis Funeral Home 378 South Market Street Memphis Missouri 63555