Jon Dale BUSS

19 OCT 1940 - 17 JUL 2017

• BIRTH: 19 OCT 1940, Plymouth, Marshall, IN
• DEATH: 17 JUL 2017, Mishawaka, St Joseph, IN

• DIVORCE: 19 JUL 1968, St Joseph County, IN
• MARRIAGE: 13 DEC 1959, St Joseph County, IN

INDEX

[N25695] Jon Dale Buss

Birth 19 Oct 1940
Plymouth, Marshall County, IN

Death 17 Jul 2017 (aged 76)
Mishawaka, St Joseph, IN

Burial
Fair Cemetery
North Liberty, St. Joseph County, IN
Memorial ID 181683507 · View Source

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MISHAWAKA - Jon Dale Buss, 76, of Mishawaka, IN, passed away on July 17, 2017, of natural causes and complications due to a massive stroke he suffered at age 54. Jon was born October 19, 1940, in Plymouth, IN as the son of Miriam (Smith) (and yes, his mother is alive at the age of 100) and the late Orville Buss. On December 13, 1959, Jon married Ruby Harbaugh. Born of that union were Deanna (Bob-deceased) Hodges (Granger) and Darnell (Thomas) Vines (Mishawaka). In 1968, Jon married Dreamalee Minix. Born of that union was Robert Buss (Elkhart). Bonus children brought to that union were Sherry (Donald) Rudd (Noblesville), Randall (Amy) Houser (Edwardsburg) and Steven (Gayle) Houser (Florida). Jon is also survived by his siblings Rosalee (James) Knecht (Minnesota), Ramona Buss (Arkansas), Stanley (Connie) Buss (Oklahoma), Lucy (Ordway) Allen (South Bend) and Vonna (John) Walter (Bremen). Jon has 18 grandchildren, 23 great grandchildren, 2 great, great, grandchildren plus many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Jon grew up in the small town of North Liberty helping farm the family homestead. Jon graduated from North Liberty High School in 1958. He became a carpenter by trade and joined the Carpenters Local #413. In 1968, Jon became the owner and operator of several Childcare Centers in Florida. This is where his love to help children grew. In 1976, he helped open and operate the Mattiponi Children's Ranch in Walkerton, Virginia, a ranch for juvenile delinquents and foster children. Unfortunately due to local community opposition and discontinued government funding the ranch was closed after 3 years. In 1979, he bought a Childcare Center in Elkhart. He soon developed the school to one of the best and largest in the area by designing and building a huge addition himself, almost doubling the school's size to 150 children per day. In 1994, Jon successfully retired from the childcare business and planned a well deserved golden years, focusing on traveling with Dreamalee and spending more time with family. Unfortunately, Jon had a massive stroke 8 months later that changed the direction of his and his families lives forever. Jon was confined to a wheelchair, but continued to have a positive attitude and spend time with family and friends. Jon will be remembered as a hard working, exceptional man, who asked for nothing all of his life, but easily and quickly gave and/or did for others without a second thought. There will be a memorial service remembering Jon on Sunday, July 30, 2017 at 2:00pm at the Bremen Church of the Brethren, 921 Woodie Dr, Bremen. There will be a small Graveside service on Monday, July 31, at 3:00pm at the Fair Cemetery in North Liberty. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Bubb Funeral Chapel, 3910 N. Main St, Mishawaka, IN 46545
Published in South Bend Tribune on July 23, 2017