Obituary for John J. Busche Jr.
John J. Busche Jr, 76, passed away Thursday February 16th, 2023 at Lawrence Memorial Hospital surrounded by family. He was born to John J. Busche, Sr. and Betty (Kerr) in Omaha, Nebraska, on May 7th 1946.
He grew up in different parts of Nebraska but called Fremont “Home” and attended Fremont Senior High, graduating in the Class of 1965. “Busche” served in the U.S. Navy during the Vietnam War from 1966-1970, on the USS Constellation CV-64, until 1970. He married Barbara L. Esluer and later divorced. John opened Busche’s Body shop in 1977 where he remained until he retired and moved to Tonganoxie, Kansas in 2015. While he owned the body shop, one could almost always find a racecar or hot rod project going on after hours, along with a few suds being consumed. Many Daytona 500 parties were held out of the back room of the shop. John enjoyed working on cars, racing, boating, fishing, spending time with friends and family, and watching his grandchildren in all their activities.
John is preceded in death by his parents; sister, Sheryl A. Wilkening and beloved dogs (Yu-Go, Blackie, Rufus, Shai and George).
He is survived by his daughter, Gretchen Meitler and husband Brian of Tonganoxie, KS; daughter, Diana L. Busche of Omaha; granddaughter, Madison J. (Meitler) Duncan Stark of Tonganoxie, grandsons Gabriel Busche Meitler and Nathanael Esluer Meitler of Tonganoxie, KS, Brother William “Bill” Busche of Fremont, as well as nieces, nephews, and his beloved dog Susie.
Memorials are suggested to VFW Post 9271 of Tonganoxie, KS PO Box 444 where he was a life member, FurEver Home, Inc. of Fremont or the VFW National Home for Children.
Celebrations of Life will be held in Tonganoxie at the VFW Post 9271 (910 E. 1st Street) on March 11th, 2023 at 1100 with full Military Honors and a lunch to follow.
An additional Celebration will be held in Fremont, NE at a later date.
He grew up in different parts of Nebraska but called Fremont “Home” and attended Fremont Senior High, graduating in the Class of 1965. “Busche” served in the U.S. Navy during the Vietnam War from 1966-1970, on the USS Constellation CV-64, until 1970. He married Barbara L. Esluer and later divorced. John opened Busche’s Body shop in 1977 where he remained until he retired and moved to Tonganoxie, Kansas in 2015. While he owned the body shop, one could almost always find a racecar or hot rod project going on after hours, along with a few suds being consumed. Many Daytona 500 parties were held out of the back room of the shop. John enjoyed working on cars, racing, boating, fishing, spending time with friends and family, and watching his grandchildren in all their activities.
John is preceded in death by his parents; sister, Sheryl A. Wilkening and beloved dogs (Yu-Go, Blackie, Rufus, Shai and George).
He is survived by his daughter, Gretchen Meitler and husband Brian of Tonganoxie, KS; daughter, Diana L. Busche of Omaha; granddaughter, Madison J. (Meitler) Duncan Stark of Tonganoxie, grandsons Gabriel Busche Meitler and Nathanael Esluer Meitler of Tonganoxie, KS, Brother William “Bill” Busche of Fremont, as well as nieces, nephews, and his beloved dog Susie.
Memorials are suggested to VFW Post 9271 of Tonganoxie, KS PO Box 444 where he was a life member, FurEver Home, Inc. of Fremont or the VFW National Home for Children.
Celebrations of Life will be held in Tonganoxie at the VFW Post 9271 (910 E. 1st Street) on March 11th, 2023 at 1100 with full Military Honors and a lunch to follow.
An additional Celebration will be held in Fremont, NE at a later date.