Mr. Buis was born in Putnam County, Indiana to Emerson E. and Minnie Ruark Buis. He graduated from Fillmore High School and later from DePauw University on a Rector Scholarship with the Class of 1930, and did graduate work at Indiana University. He taught science and coached at Lapel Indiana and Elmhurst, Illinois. Coming to Marion in 1944, he constructed and operated Marion Frozen Food Locker, later becoming a Rich Plan franchise. This business experience lasted over 42 years.

He married Laura C. Ditzler, June 10, 1933. He and the family were registered Angus Cattle Breeders for over 20 years. He served as president of the following organizations: Grant County Beef Angus Assn., Ind. Cattlemans Assn., Indiana Frozen Food Locker Assn. and National Frozen Food Locker Assn. In 1959, he was chosen as recipient of the National Achievement Award for meritorious service to the industry. He has been a part of several land development projects, on the Marion Bypass, and owned and developed Laurel Valley Sub-division. For 23 years he has served as president of Country Development, Inc. in their housing development and Wildcat Creek Golf Course at Kokomo, Indiana. He was a writer, having written five books and numerous short articles. He was a member of Marion First United Methodist Church.

Survivors include his wife, Laura Buis, Marion; daughters, Linda (Dick) Middlesworth and Sandy (Nyle) Fox, both of Marion; six grandchildren, Teri (Jim) Rodibaugh, Rensselear; Mark (Sally) Middlesworth, Toby (Diane) Middlesworth, both of Marion; Kelly (Ben) Cupp, Constantine, Mich.; Christy (John) Green, Vero Beach, Fla.; Julie (Chris) Smiley, Winchester; 16 great grandchildren, Justin, Jeremy, Amy, Kyle, Jenna, Danielle, Matt, Adam, Derek, Tori, Shelby, Macy, Summer, Autumn, Payton, and Dalton.

He was preceded in death by his parents Emerson Etheridge and Minnie May (Ruark) Buis; brothers Oran and Almon; and sisters, Hazel Hash and Helen Hammond.