F. Leon Buis

F. Leon Buis was born Oct. 8, 1917 to Roy C. and Mabel McAnnich Buis and was one of eight children. He graduated from Belle Union High School in 1935 and served as a Top Sergeant in the U.S. Army during World War II. He was drafted in February 1941 and was sent to Iceland and went on to France and Germany, taking part in the Battle of the Bulge. In August 1945, Leon earned enough points to come home.

Following his return, he met Imogene McCloud Wright and they married on Sept. 3, 1947, beginning their lives with children Connie (Miller), Cincinnati, and Ned Wright (Carole), Plainfield. They had two daughters, Linda (Huber), Greencastle, and Diana (Ramey), Indianapolis.

His childhood was spent on the family dairy farm. After the war, he worked at International Harvester. He started the Leon Buis Insurance and Loans Agency in Greencastle then worked as a finish carpenter working on the restoration of the Circle Theater and other projects. In his 70s, he worked with Fast Company Racing School and enjoyed doing some of the driving himself. He also worked at Putnam Park Race Course in its formative days.

Memberships included Carpenters' Union Local 60, Scottish Rite, Masonic Lodge, Veterans of Foreign Wars and American Legion.

He was preceded in death by his wife, parents, brothers Charles and Lloyd, sister Ruth Woods and two sons-in-law, Gary Huber and Hal Miller.

He leaves behind his children, 11 grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren; seven great-great-grandchildren and sisters Ella Rarridon, Plainfield, Blanche Stubblefield, Coatesville, Vera Jean Davis, Hartwell, Georgia and Emma Catherine Gorham, Brazil.

Services will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday with visitation from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Bittles and Hurt Funeral Home.