Bud Bemis

Bud Bemis, a former long-time resident of Greencastle, gently slipped this mortal coil on Wednesday, Sept. 13, 2017 at 89 years young.

A happy, rambunctious man throughout his life, he honestly came from a long line of smart-alecks. Born Nov. 1, 1927, in Sullivan, Ind., he was a child of the Depression, yet served his country in the Navy at the end of World War II, helping many other sailors get discharged and returned home before he earned his own "ruptured duck."

An inveterate story teller, he remember to the end his early days after the war as a short-order cook, serving Will Geer in the 1940s, when they were both younger.

Having met and married his beloved wife Ruth (nee Matthewson) around the time of his final Navy service, he swept her back to Indiana, where he supported his growing family as a grocery store manager for more than 25 years, first with Kroger and later Marsh Supermarkets, opening and serving as the first store manager of the Marsh store manager in Greencastle, Indianapolis Road. In 1962 he later successfully reinvented himself as an advertising specialties salesman.

In his spare time, he loved to fish and go mushroom hunting, often sharing his catch with many, but sharing the locations of his favorite holes or hunting grounds with very few. He tried vigorously to interest his children in these activities with rather mixed results.

He bowled in leagues and played horseshoes, with some measure of success. Later, he took up golf for many years, always enthusiastic, if never accomplished.

His parents, sister Virginia, and wife of 49 years all preceded him in death. He is survived by his wife Doris, of Indianapolis, along with five children, 13 grandchildren, at least 18 great-grandchildren, and even a few great-great grandchildren.

Graveside service will be performed at 1:30 p.m. on Sept. 19 at Forest Hill Cemetery in Greencastle.

Legacy Cremation & Funeral Service Morris Street assisted the family.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Legion National Emergency Fund or Child Welfare Foundation.