Ralph E Buesking

Ralph Eugene Buesking, formerly of Strasburg, Illinois went to meet the Lord face to face on the morning of August, 19, 2013, in his Springfield, Missouri residence. Ralph was born in Strasburg, Illinois to Martin Buesking and Bessie (Spannagel) Buesking. He was the youngest of eight children.

Visitation will be Saturday, August 24, 2013, from 1:00 to 3:30 p.m. in St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Strasburg with a funeral service beginning at 3:30 p.m. led by Rev. Steven Becker. Burial will be in St. Paul’s Cemetery, Strasburg following the funeral service with military rites by the Wilbur Braughton American Legion Post #611 of Stewardson. The family hopes that people would consider donating to either St. Paul’s Lutheran Church or to a Memorial Scholarship set up in Ralph’s memory at Evangel University, Springfield, Missouri to benefit Women’s Softball players. Arrangements are by Howe and Yockey Funeral Home in Strasburg, Illinois.

Ralph was a 1951 graduate of Stewardson-Strasburg Unit High School. He married Annette Hollingsworth Tolly August 21, 1954, in St. Paul Lutheran Church, Strasburg. Ralph served in the U.S. Navy from 1953 to 1957 and the Navy Reserve until 1967. He earned a Bachelor’s degree in Education in 1961 and a Master of Science degree in Education in 1963 from Eastern Illinois University. Ralph taught grade school in Mattoon, Bloomington, Stewardson and Stewardson-Strasburg. He served as principal of K-6 and for one year was principle of K-8. He retired from teaching in 1993. Ralph enjoyed hunting, camping, and playing cards, but mostly he enjoyed fishing for recreation. He was an active member of the Strasburg Lions Club and the Wilbur Braughton American Legion Post #611 of Stewardson. For many years Ralph was the hometown announcer at baseball and softball games at the Lions Club ball park in Strasburg. He loved watching area baseball and softball teams play well after he left the announcer’s perch.

Ralph is survived by his son, Andrew of Fairfax, Virginia, his son, Michael (and his wife Debra) of Springfield, Missouri, his grandchildren, Molly, Sam, Chase, and Brooke; and his sister, Mildred Rincker of Strasburg, Illinois.

He was preceded in death by his wife Annette; daughter-in-law, Virginia; brothers, Merle, Harold and Floyd; and sisters, Delores, Vera and Lorene.

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