Col. Jack Allen Buzbee Usaf Ret.

Col. Jack A. Buzbee, USAF Ret.



DESOTO—Jack Allen Buzbee was called to his heavenly home at 2:13pm on Monday, April 2, 2018 at Manor Court in Carbondale.



A memorial service will be held Saturday, April 21 at the Meredith Funeral Home in Carbondale. Visitation will be from 9-11, with service lead by Rev Paul Hicks at 11. Interment will follow at Blairsville Cemetery with full military rites provided by Scott Air Force Base.



Memorials are the preferred form of remembrance and can be made to the donor’s choice or the Hurst American Legion.



Jack married Jetta Rae Mueller on March 9, 1949 in Houston, Texas and she was his true help mate both during and after his military service. Jetta preceded him in death on December 8, 2012. Also preceding Jack in death were his parents, Roger L Buzbee and Ethel Mae (Shanklin) Buzbee. Jack lived much of his formative years with his grandparents, Albert and Frances (Campbell) Shanklin.



Jack’s surviving family includes, Rick (Lisa) Tyner, Debbie (Daryl) Graber, Sue (George) Holms, Kay (Don) Elliot, Emmetta (John) Shepard, Kathy Elston Hall, Matt (Sandy) Elston, Amy (Jason) Barnes, Jay (LaNelle) Elston, James (Jennifer) Elston, Jeff (Amy Harrison) Elston, Don Vunesky, Mary Brandon, Pam Shanklin, and dear friends Larry and Helen Moon. Also left to mourn his passing are the communities of Hurst, Lockeyville, and DeSoto.



Shortly after his 1945 graduation from Hurst High School, Jack was drafted into the Army where he served until the Air Force was formed. Jack rose in rank by applying his favorite saying, “Always do a little more than expected of you.” His military career took him to Saudi Arabia, Germany, Italy, Japan, Vietnam, Hawaii, and several other bases in the United States. Notably, he served for three years at the Pentagon.



Serving was in Jack’s blood. He returned from serving his country to serve his communities of Hurst and DeSoto. A philanthropic man, Jack worked behind the scenes to meet the needs he saw around him. Never one to just sit down, Jack drove for the Marion Eye Center and later for West Bus Service after his military retirement.



Jack had many memberships including the Hurst Masonic Lodge, Khiva Shrine Temple, American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, National Rifle Association, Illinois State Rifle Association and the First Christian Church of Hurst.



The family wishes to thank Nancy Ebersohl for Jack’s favorite chicken & dumplings, and Norm Hanna for delivering communion to Jack at Prairie Living. Also, the family offers its most sincere gratitude for the caring and compassionate treatment provided to Jack by the Manor Court staff, where they affectionately call him “Mr. Jack.” Meredith Funeral Home in Carbondale is in charge of arrangements. If you would like to share a story or memory of Col. Buzbee visit http://www.meredithfh.com.