Howard Richard Busche

Howard Richard Busche, 91, of Poplar Bluff, MO passed away peacefully on Tuesday, June 18, 2024, at St. Anthony's Hospice in Henderson, KY.
A Mass of Christian Burial will take place on Friday, June 28, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 123 N. 8th St., Poplar Bluff, MO with Rev. Daniel Robles as the celebrant.  Burial will follow at Sacred Heart Cemetery in Poplar Bluff, MO.
Visitation will take place from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, June 27 at Cotrell Willow Ridge Funeral & Cremation Services, 1100 Iron Bridge Road, Poplar Bluff, MO.
Howard was born July 24, 1932, in Cape Girardeau, MO.   He grew up in Cape Girardeau, attending May Greene Elementary School and Central High School.  In 1949, he joined the Missouri National Guard.  Then, in 1954, he joined the U.S. Army and was stationed in South Korea, serving in Pusan and near the DMZ.  While stationed in Pusan, he joined the Catholic Church.  He was discharged in January 1956 with the rank of Sergeant First Class.  He immediately enrolled in Southeast Missouri State College in Cape Girardeau, MO, graduating in 1959 with a degree in Business Administration.
On May 31, 1958, Howard married Joan Eleanor Heisserer at Guardian Angels Church in Oran, MO.
In June 1959, he took a job with the Social Security Administration working several SSA offices throughout his career including in Cape Girardeau, MO, Poplar Bluff, MO, Topeka, KS, and West Plains, MO.  He then moved back to Poplar Bluff in 1973 taking a job as an SSA operations supervisor and later as an assistant district manager.  He retired in June 1989.
Howard loved being in the outdoors fishing and hunting.  Going to the lake for a Sunday picnic and some fishing was a frequent family outing.  Howard made a yearly fall trip to hunt pheasant in South Dakota 36 times.  He also enjoyed bowling and participated in local bowling tournaments.  He was an active member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Poplar Bluff, MO, often lecturing at Mass, participating in Bible study groups, and volunteering to mow the parish grounds.  During his retirement years, he bought an extra plot of land behind his house and took care of a large garden and shared its bounty with others.  He also made homemade wine to share with family and friends.
Howard was preceded in death by his parents, Henry Lester Busche and Ella Amanda Hoffman Busche, his older brother, Lester Hoffman Busche (Dorothy), and his older sister, Lois (Tootsie) Delilah Busche Wessell (Marvin Wessell).
Howard is survived by his wife, Joan Heisserer Busche, his four children, Juliana Busche Sheffer (John) of Hannibal, MO, Gregory Busche (Linda) of St. Charles, MO, Matthew Busche (Tammy) of Lakewood, CO, and Jennifer Busche Haley (Tracy) of Henderson, KY.
He is also survived by 13 grandchildren: Christopher Sheffer of Cedar Falls, IA, Theresa Sheffer Lucash (Michael) of Wentzville, MO, Joseph Sheffer and Marie Sheffer, both of Hannibal, MO, Joshua Busche of Las Vegas, NV, Jacob Busche (Kayla) of Wexford, PA, Michael Busche of Madison, WI, Aaron Busche, Rebecca Busche, and Catherine Busche of Lakewood, CO,  Abigail Haley and Natalie Haley of Lexington, KY, and Brett Haley of Henderson, KY.  He also has seven great-grandchildren.
Memorial contributions may be made to Sacred Heart Catholic School of Poplar Bluff, MO.
Howard loved his God, loved his wife, and loved his family.  He will be greatly missed by all those who knew and loved him.

Cotrell Willow Ridge Funeral & Cremation Services is honored to serve the family and friends of Howard Richard Busche.

Online condolences can be made at www.cwrfcs.com