Obituaries

February 24,1928 to June 27, 2017

MONTICELLO - John J. Buyer, D.D.S., 89, of Monticello, passed away at 7 p.m., Monday, June 27,  at Forum at the Crossing, Indianapolis, surrounded by his family.

He was born Feb. 24, 1928 in Francesville, to the late Dr. CC and Jennie Colbo Buyer. He married Jean Martschink at St. Matthews Lutheran Church, Dec. 27, 1950 in Charleston, S.C.

Survivors include: Karen Buyer (Burkhardt) DiNardo, B.S.,M.S. (Tom) of Kokomo, Diane Buyer, D.D.S. (Timothy Yale) of Indianapolis, John J Buyer Jr., D.D.S., M.P.H., M.S. (Col. USA DC ret.) (Christine) of Blacksburg, Va., and Congressman Steve Buyer (Col. USAR ret.) (Joni) of Carmel; grandchildren, Colleen Buyer, Ryan Buyer (Ashlyn), Joseph Buyer (Molly), Jeremy Buyer (Lauren) and Matthew Buyer; five great-grandchildren: Kaden, Braxton, Carly, Jameson and Harper; and all the smallmouth bass he released in the Tippy.

His wife Jean predeceased him in July 2015, as well as Toby Burkhardt (son-in-law).

Dr. Buyer graduated from Culver Military Academy in 1946 and was Midwest Prep Conference Football All Star Team. He was a 1950 graduate of The Citadel, The Military College of South Carolina, where he was Band Company Commander, member of the Jr. Sword Drill and Bulldog Orchestra Conductor. He helped found “The Buyer Family Top Leadership Scholarship” which helps and rewards cadet leaders at The Citadel. He served in the U.S. Army during the Korean Conflict, then returned to school graduating in 1957 from I.U. School of Dentistry. He practiced dentistry for 50 years in Francesville, retiring in 2008. He was a life member of the American Dental Association, the Indiana Dental Association and the West Central Dental Society.

Dr. Buyer served as Salem Township Trustee and on the Pulaski County School Board during school reorganization in Indiana. He gave back to his hometown in many projects. He was president of the first Francesville Fall Festival, which celebrated building the fire station without government money. As president of the Lions Club, all Francesville houses were assigned numbers. He built tennis courts in the park and with his wife, Jean, plotted the new addition to the Roseland Cemetery. They also founded a Junior Achievement Company which taught business to the youth of Francesville. He taught Sunday school, sponsored MYF and sang in the choir at the United Methodist Church.

Dr. Buyer dedicated his life to improving the lives of veterans and the next generation. He served as Commander of the American Legion 2nd District in 1996-97 and served 10 years on the American Legion National Legislative Council. He was Chaplain of the American Legion Post #228. As Chef de Gare of 40&8 Voiture 211, he promoted and awarded nursing scholarships. He was a 32-degree Mason of Winamac Lodge #25 and member of the Orak Shrine. He was an ardent Tippecanoe River fisherman. He loved trees and nature and planted thousands of trees locally and worldwide. He is responsible for sending tulip poplar trees to honor every Indiana soldier who died in action and wounded to Seoul, South Korea when commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Korean Conflict Ceasefire. He is also responsible for cherry and apple orchards being planted on the grounds of orphanages in Ukraine.

The funeral service will be at 11 a.m., Saturday, July 1, with a "Doc’s Gone Fishing" celebration reception following at Miller - Roscka Funeral Home of Monticello. Full military rites will be conducted at Roseland Cemetery, Francesville at 2 p.m.

Please plant a favorite tree of Docs’ (cherry, tulip, apple, maple or oak). For memorials please consider The John and Jean Buyer MacArthur Hall Project, IN Veterans Home c/o Tom Smith Community Services Director, 3851 N. River Road, West Lafayette, IN 47906 or The Citadel Foundation, The Buyer Family Top Leadership Scholarship, 171 Moultrie Street, Charleston, SC 29409.