Donald Richard (Dick) Van Buskirk of Bellefontaine, OH went home to be with the Lord August 6, 2024 after a brief illness.
He passed away at Logan Acres Care Center with family by his side. He was 96 years old.
Born in Bellefontaine, OH to the late Donald Leo and Glendora (Hughes) Van Buskirk on Sept. 27th, 1927, he was the second of five children. He grew up in the Zanesfield, OH area and graduated from Zanesfield High School. He was drafted into the army in 1950 during the Korean conflict, and rose to the rank of Sergeant before his honorable discharge in 1952. He earned two bronze campaign stars, the CIB badge, and the Korean Service medal. Upon returning state-side he proposed to Dorothy Jean Strahm, and they were married on March 16th, 1952. They celebrated 66 years of marriage before she passed away in 2018.
He is survived by his daughter, Brenda (Jim) Sanford of Bellefontaine, two granddaughters, Kristen (Caleb) Lang of Bellefontaine and Kileen (Drew) Sprouse of Hilliard, OH, as well as four great- grandchildren: Elliett and Bennett Lang and Nora and Maren Sprouse. He is also survived by one brother, John (Linda) Van Buskirk of GA, a sister-in-law, Margaret Van Buskirk of Bellefontaine, and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his sisters June (Paul) Wilt of Bellefontaine, Genevieve (Don) Hagar of Sarasota, FL and one brother Terry (Margaret) Van Buskirk of Bellefontaine.
Dick was a very kind man who had a heart for service. He worked as a machinist, was employed in the construction field, and finished his career at Navistar in Springfield as an assembly line worker before retiring in 1989, but his real heart was doing things for other people. He loved to mow grass for himself and others, clear his neighbors’ driveways in the winter, pick berries to give away, help with church work projects, and build things for others in his basement wood shop.
He was a member of the American Legion Honor Guard for a number of years. He and Dorothy had many adventures traveling on three different continents in their early retirement years. He also loved sports. He was a fast pitch softball pitcher in his youth, played in the men’s church softball league, and golfed for at least 50 years. He was a long-time member of First Christian Church, Bellefontaine, where he served for many years as a Deacon and was honored as a Deacon Emeritus. His kind heart, quick wit, and generous spirit will be missed by all who knew him.
A public graveside service will be Saturday, August 10, 2024 at 2:00 pm at the Highland Memorial Cemetery gazebo, 5591 US Route 68 S. West Liberty.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you make a donation in his name to the First Christian Church, 215 E. Sandusky Ave., Bellefontaine, OH 43311, where it can be put to use in the service of his Lord, Jesus Christ.
