Passed away Monday morning, March 20, 2006 at the Springs of Bronson Place. Mr. Bushouse was born September 19, 1918 in Kalamazoo, Michigan a son of Garrett and Jennie (VanPeenan) Bushouse. Mr. Bushouse graduated from Kalamazoo Central in 1936, and was a lifelong member of Bethany Reformed Church. He retired from the City of Kalamazoo in 1983 after serving twenty years as a supervisor for Metro Transit and as the City Sealer prior to that. He also held a long tenure as a sales representative for Eckrich and Sons, FarmCrest, and as area manager for Shedd-Bartusch Foods. During WWII, he served with the U.S. Army Air Corps. in the Pacific theatre on a B-29 crew. He loved hunting, fishing, and working with people. He especially enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. For over thirty years he officiated high school sports as a registered official with the Michigan High School Athletic Association and umpired in local baseball and softball leagues. One of his greatest joys was in playing Santa Claus for children at Christmas time. For a number of years he served as the Gilmore's Santa at the downtown store and also performed at Wing's Stadium, nursing homes and other group events. He was preceded in death by his parents; his first wife, Florence E. (Chupp) Bushouse in 1989; three brothers; Hubert, Edward and Nelson; and a sister, Maxine Kelly. He is survived by three children, Stanley R. (Judith) Bushouse of Coldwater, MI, Ann (Ken) Clark of Kalamazoo, and Gary (Lyn) Bushouse of San Juan Capistrano, CA; seven grandchildren, Kristen (John) Crandle of Schoolcraft, Wendy (Layne) VanStone of Ft. Wayne, IN, Steven Bushouse of Schoolcraft, Karen Bushouse of Shelby, MI, Deborah Bushouse of Coldwater, MI, Stacey Clark of Plymouth, MN, and Eric Bushouse of Kalamazoo; five great-grandchildren; a sister, Virginia (Peter) Workman of Portage; his former spouse, Barbara Bushouse of Portage; and several nieces, nephews, and cousins. A Memorial Service will be held at 1 o'clock Saturday, April 1 at the Bethany Reformed Church, 1833 S. Burdick Street, Kalamazoo, MI. There will be no visitation, but a time of fellowship will follow the memorial service. Private graveside services will be held earlier that morning in the West Cooper Cemetery. Memorials may be directed to Bethany Reformed Church or Hospice of Greater Kalamazoo, Southwest Michigan Chapter. Arrangements were made by the Langeland Family Funeral Homes, Memorial Chapel, 622 S. Burdick St.
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