John F. DeBusscher, age 96, passed away peacefully at his condo in St. Clair Shores, MI, where he was a lifetime resident. He was born in Grosse Pte., MI, to the late John and Helen DeBusscher. He served as a U.S. Marine in the Pacific in WWII. John was a loving husband to the late Angela for almost 60 years, as well as a devoted father to Kathleen (Donald) Zielke and Gary (Joan) DeBusscher. He was the proud grandfather of Brian Zielke, John (Karina) DeBusscher and Matthew DeBusscher. He loved getting photos, videos and visits from his great grandchildren: Kylie, Katelyn and Brendan Zielke in TX, and Liam and Sofia DeBusscher in CA. John was blessed to have the support of seven brothers and sisters: the late Fred (late Barbara) DeBusscher, late Ray (late Juanita) DeBusscher, Judy (late Douglas) Carless, Patricia (Dennis) Defever, Karen (Mike) Paquette, Dave (Vivian) DeBusscher and Lynn Peck. He is survived by numerous relatives and many special friends from his years of civil engineering with Pate, Hirn and Bogue, Inc. (later with Anderson, Eckstein, and Westrick, Inc.), ushering/Eucharistic Ministry at St. Isaac Jogues Catholic Parish and golfing at Red Run Golf & Country Club. John was a member of the Michigan Society of Professional Land Surveyors and the Editor of their newsletter for 7 years.
From playing football on his St. Gertrude’s High School team, to baseball in the Marines, to coaching his son in hockey, to playing Euchre and Pegs & Jokers with his family, John’s number-one love was playing golf. His six hole-in-one trophies attest to that fact, as well as his devotion to Red Run. John volunteered countless hours transforming the golf course into one of the finest clubs in the metro area with irrigation, turf and equipment advancements that led to invitations for state and national tournaments. He was elected their President in 1989 and granted Lifetime, then Legends and, most recently, Honorary Memberships.
He will be remembered for his sense of humor, his colorful golf outfits, and his generosity and commitment to family, friends, church, and profession.
A special thank you goes out to his life-long friend, Fred Beltz, his super-dedicated and loving caregiver, Kim Pitock, others in her group, and his Hospice Team for helping him to remain in the condo he loved so dearly.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the “Capuchin Soup Kitchen of Detroit,” the charity dearest to John’s beloved wife, Angela.
John will lie in-state on Wednesday, January 18, 2023, beginning at 10:00 am, until time of mass at 10:30 am, with military honors to follow, at St. Isaac Jogues Catholic Church 21100 Madison Street, St. Clair Shores, Michigan 48081.
Visitation Tuesday, January 17, 2023, from 3:00 pm - 8:00 pm, with a family sharing of memories at 7:00 pm, at Kaul Funeral Home 28433 Jefferson Ave., St. Clair Shores, Michigan 48081.
Interment will take place at Resurrection Cemetery in Clinton Township, Michigan
