Obituaries

Harding G. Buescher

Photo of Harding G. Buescher
Mr. Harding G. Buescher, age 90 years, of Jefferson City, Mo., died Thursday, August 4, 2011, at the Golden Living Center surrounded by his loving family. Harding was born March 4, 1921, at Hermann, Mo., the son of Frederick A. and Hilda E. Luetkemeyer Buescher. He was married on July 2, 1950, in Jefferson City, Mo., to Bonita L. Strobel, who preceded him in death on August 31, 1986. He married Betty Louise Moreau Sapp on June 5, 1990, in Jefferson City, Mo. A lifelong resident of the central Missouri area, Harding attended school in Boone County, Mo. He served in the United States Army during World War II and the Korean Conflict. He was awarded three Bronze Stars, the American Theatre Campaign Ribbon and is named at the National World War II Memorial. In his early career, he was employed with the Osterloh & Buescher Blacksmith Shop and the Wilson Service Station in Columbia. After 38 years, he retired from Fabick and Company on March 15, 1989. He was a member of the Central United Church of Christ and the Men's Brotherhood; a charter member of the American Legion Post 424 at Hartsburg, Mo.; and a past member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 35. Harding, a devoted family man, loved to hunt, fish and garden. He most enjoyed travel to the 557th Army Reunions. He was an avid St. Louis Cardinal fan, and enjoyed country music and gin rummy. Survivors include: his wife, Betty; two sons, Norman (Sandra) Buescher and Randy (Donna) Sapp; three daughters, Marilynn Medley, Gwendolyn (Kyle) Vieth, and Janice (Edward) Graves; brother, Leroy (Jean) Buescher; sister, Eleanora Oelschlaeger; brothers-in-law, Virgil Moreau and Kenneth (Billie Sue) Moreau; sisters-in-law, Carol Buescher, Dorothy Zumwalt, and Belva (Frankie) Crane; grandchildren, Michelle Medley, Jonathan Medley, Christopher Vieth, Heather Dwiggins, Quinn Blades, Amy Amundson, Elizabeth Hale, Robert Sapp, Derek Sapp, and Dusty Hessenkemper; great- grandchildren, Blake Dwiggins, Taylor and Cody Amundson, Alex and Connor Hale, Cody and Kenny Knox, Abigail and Parker Sapp, and Sophia, Ethen, and Cooper Hessenkemper; nieces; nephews; a special neighbor, Mary Albin; and other family and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; an infant brother; wife, Bonita; brothers, Clarence and Frederick Buescher; one sister, Gladys Brehe; brothers-in-law, Norman Strobel, Milton Brehe, George Oelschlaeger, and Eldon Zumwalt; sisters-in-law, Bonnie Buescher and Viola Moreau; and grandson-in-law, Daniel Amundson. Visitation will be at Freeman Mortuary from 1:00 until 4:00 p.m., Sunday, August 7, 2011, and at the Central United Church of Christ from 9:00 until 10:00 a.m. Monday. Funeral services will be conducted at 10:00 a.m., Monday, August 8, 2011, at the Central United Church of Christ with the Reverend Dr. Stephen Buchholz officiating. Graveside services and interment with military honors will be conducted at Hawthorn Memorial Gardens. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to Central United Church of Christ, the American Legion Post 424, SSM Hospice, or charity of choice. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Freeman Mortuary of Jefferson City, Mo. www.freemanmortuary.com

Published August 7, 2011