Kenneth H. Busch

Kenneth H. Busch, 83, of rural Tonica, died June 18, 2019 in OSF St. Francis Medical Center in Peoria surrounded by his family.

Mass of Christian burial will be 10:30 AM Monday in Sts. Peter and Paul Church in Leonore with Msgr James Swaner officiating.  Burial will be in Sts. Peter and Paul Cemetery.  Visitation will be from 4 to 7:00 PM Sunday in the Hurst Funeral Home in Tonica with a rosary to be recited at 3:45 PM.  Additional visitation will be in the church on Monday from 9:30 AM until time of services.

Kenny was born in Richland Township on November 23, 1935 to Bernard and Victoria (Salz) Busch.  He married Eleanor Harseim in Sts. Peter and Paul Church on December 28, 1957.  He served with the National Guard Reserves.

Kenny farmed his whole life.  He served on the Lostant School Board, Leonore Mutual Telephone Board, and Cemetery Board, where he served as sexton for many years.  He started the Memorial Day services at the cemetery.  He was very active in his church and served on the Parish Council.  He also owned Ken’s Saw and Mower Shop and was a dealer for Burrus Seed Company.

Kenny loved spending time with his family and watching his grandchildren play sports. He never knew a stranger. He was happiest when mowing grass and visiting with his farm neighbors. We will remember him for always being willing to drop anything to help anyone—be it his family or even someone he had just met.

He is survived by his wife Eleanor; one daughter, Laura (Mark) Baer of Morton; two sons, Jeff (Tina) Busch of Tonica and Jim (Tracey) Busch of Tonica; seven grandchildren, Brad, Jamie, Derek, Josh, Kalli, Dylan and Jaden; four great-grandchildren, Jack, Annabelle, Charlie and Jude.

Kenny is preceded in death by his parents, his step-mother Elizabeth (Shawback) Busch; three sisters, Pernetta Franklin, Lucina Franklin and Rosemary Mienders; two brothers, Ronald and Bernard W. Busch.

Pallbearers will be his grandchildren.

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