Obituaries

November 19, 1932 to July 26, 2015

MONTICELLO - Jean Martschink Buyer, 82, of Monticello, passed away at 7:10 a.m., Sunday, July 26, at the White Oak Health Campus of Monticello, surrounded by her family.

She was born Nov. 19, 1932, in Charleston, S.C., to the late Gustav Charles and Karen Elizabeth Larisey Martschink. She married John Joseph Buyer on Dec. 27, 1950, at the St. Matthews Lutheran Church in Charleston.

Surviving are husband, John Joseph Buyer, Sr., D.D.S. of Monticello; daughters, Karen Buyer Burkhardt of Kokomo, and Diane Buyer D.D.S. (Timothy Yale) of Indianapolis; sons, John J. Buyer, Jr. D.D.S., MPH, MS, (Col. USA D.C. ret.) (Christine) of Blacksburg, Virginia, and former Congressman Steve Buyer (Col. USAR ret.) (Joni) of Carmel; grandchildren, Colleen Buyer, Ryan Buyer (Ashlyn), Joseph Buyer (Molly), and Jeremy Buyer (Lauren); 3 great grandchildren; sister, Barbara Martschink Mobley (Jack) of Charlotte, North Carolina; and brother, Gustav C. Martschink, Jr. (Linda) Huntersville, North Carolina.

She was preceded in death by her parents, and son-in-law, Toby Burkhardt.

Mrs. Buyer dedicated 50 years to the American Legion Auxiliary.She was a member of the Thornton Williams American Legion Post #81 of Monticello.She was a partner of La Boutiques Des Huit Chapeaux et Quarante (8 & 40) Femmes Salon 135 and the American War Mothers. In 1991-1992, she was the American Legion Auxiliary, Second District president and in 1997-1998 the Department (State) president of the American Legion Auxiliary. She served on the American Legion Auxiliary National Legislative Council.In July of 1998, Indiana Governor James O'Bannon presented her with Indiana's prestigious award, "The Sagamore of the Wabash" for the 43 years of volunteerism in the support of Indiana military personnel and their families.She was a Girl Scout Leader and Sunday School teacher. In addition, she enjoyed playing Bridge, gardening, crafts, sewing, politics, and people being the people person she was. She also enjoyed fishing on the Tippecanoe River and collecting cookbooks. Her philosophy was "Strangers are friends I have not met yet."

Members of the American Legion Auxiliary and the 8 & 40 will hold their Farewell Service along with Pastor Gary Roberts officiating at 5:30 p.m., Friday, July 31, at the Miller - Roscka Funeral Home of Monticello. Members and friends are welcome immediately following the service until 8 p.m. Burial will be private for the family at the Roseland Cemetery in Francesville

In lieu of flowers, donations to Indiana Veterans Home, 3851 N. River Road, West Lafayette, Indiana, 47906, Attn: Jim Clouse, MacArthur Building Renovation/Dining Halls in Memory of Jean Buyer, PDP American Legion Auxiliary.