Craig B. Bushong, 60, of Homer MI died , January 21, 1991, at the Community Health Center of Branch County in Coldwater following a sudden illness.
Born April 21, 1930, he was the son of Kearney H. and Della (Radle) Bushong.
On May 26, 1951, he married the former Valetta Bleam in Grand Rapids.
A long-time resident of the Homer-Marshall area, he had worked in management over 30 years for Union Steel Products in Albion.
He was a radio operator in the Korean War with the U.S. Army.
He was a member of the Marshall Conservation Club; a life member of the NRA; Steel Headers Association, and an avid outdoorsman and sportsman.
Surviving are his wife, Valetta Bushong; a son, David Craig Bushong; a daughter, Mrs. Don (Claudette) Tinney, three grandchildren; two brothers, Otto "Connie" Bushong of Homer and Clarence Bushong of Eckford, and two sisters, Ruth Tobias and Myra Lapland .
A sister, Beatrice O'Dell and a brother Kearney David Bushong preceded him in death.
Burial will follow at Fairview Cemetery in Homer MI.
~~~~
Father: Kearney H Bushong
Mother: Della Radle
Siblings: Clarence, Otto, Kearney, Beatrice, Ruth, Marjorie, Myona
Married: Valetta M Bleam
Children:
1. Claudette Bushong m-Don Tinney
2. David Craig Bushong m-Mary Zimmerman, m-Mary, m-Kelley
__________
Reference:
1940 Eckford Calhoun Co Michigan
Kearney H Bushong Head M 44 Ohio
Della B Bushong Wife F 41 Michigan
Clarence E Bushong Son M 21 Michigan
Kearney D Bushong Son M 19 Michigan
Otto ? Bushong Son M 18 Michigan
Beatrice L Bushong Daughter F 15 Michigan
Ruth W Bushong Daughter F 14 Michigan
Craig B Bushong Son M 10 Michigan
Myona V Bushong Daughter F 0 Michigan
~~~~~~
Marshall Evening Chronicle Newspaper
2/12/1951
I have on my desk this morning three letters from one of our local boys who was called to the colors.
He is Craig Bushong, son of Mr. and Mrs. Kearney Bushong, of Eckford and is lcoated at the present time in Camp Polk, La.
It is sort of interesting to read the reactions of a young fellow who is being made a soldier.
His first letter, dated January 24, states that they landed there that morning at 2:00 a. m., and after being fed, were sent to bed but were called out for activities at 5:30 in the morning.
At that time the weather was fine, sun shining and actually hot.
He stated he had been assigned to headquarters company, whatever that meant as he hadn't learned yet.
In his opinion things are or were happening so fast that it was hard to keep up with things, one guy would throw something at you, then several others would do the same, and the first thing you knew you were waiting to be drilled.
The camp is a big place he said, but he'd rather be home where it wasn't so big.
~~~~~~~~~
The next letter dated January 27, and the sun was still shining. He told of many of the fellows in his outfit and the many states they were from, some being considered as good fellows and others possibly not so good.
He had been playing football with them and put a kink in one of his knees, after whcih he resorted to punching a speed bag.
His gang had been issued rifles, and they had spent a busy day trying to get them clean of the grease coating put on by the company who made them.
It was the first time in his life he said, that he ever had to clean a rifle with soap and water. They are now[sic] allowed to call their rifle a gun. Three fellows did that and were ordered to sleep with their rifles in bed that night.
In his opinion, the water tastes like swamp water, but the food is good and they get plenty of it.
He explains about drilling and some of the officers they have, all from the National Guard in Oklahoma.
~~~~~~~
During the time until the next letter which I have and written Feb. 4, the cold wave had hit, the ground was covered with snow and they were having a rather rough time of it.
He told of them being issued long underwear, and of how they had to strip down to their shorts in order to be fitted, and of how they scampered around nearly freezing to death while that was going on. Some of the fellows were even wearing both suits of underwear at one time.
Craig was having a rough time getting shoes, they couldn't find any to fit him, and he refused to take those that wouldn't because he claimed you can't exchange them if you get the wrong ones at first.
They went on the first hike a day or so before the letter was written, a four mile job, and according to him some of the boys must have thought it was 50 miles.
~~~~~~~
This lad must have had a car which was his pride and joy here at home, because in every letter he asks if his old "Chevy" is still perculating or if it has given up and fallen apart.
Born April 21, 1930, he was the son of Kearney H. and Della (Radle) Bushong.
On May 26, 1951, he married the former Valetta Bleam in Grand Rapids.
A long-time resident of the Homer-Marshall area, he had worked in management over 30 years for Union Steel Products in Albion.
He was a radio operator in the Korean War with the U.S. Army.
He was a member of the Marshall Conservation Club; a life member of the NRA; Steel Headers Association, and an avid outdoorsman and sportsman.
Surviving are his wife, Valetta Bushong; a son, David Craig Bushong; a daughter, Mrs. Don (Claudette) Tinney, three grandchildren; two brothers, Otto "Connie" Bushong of Homer and Clarence Bushong of Eckford, and two sisters, Ruth Tobias and Myra Lapland .
A sister, Beatrice O'Dell and a brother Kearney David Bushong preceded him in death.
Burial will follow at Fairview Cemetery in Homer MI.
~~~~
Father: Kearney H Bushong
Mother: Della Radle
Siblings: Clarence, Otto, Kearney, Beatrice, Ruth, Marjorie, Myona
Married: Valetta M Bleam
Children:
1. Claudette Bushong m-Don Tinney
2. David Craig Bushong m-Mary Zimmerman, m-Mary, m-Kelley
__________
Reference:
1940 Eckford Calhoun Co Michigan
Kearney H Bushong Head M 44 Ohio
Della B Bushong Wife F 41 Michigan
Clarence E Bushong Son M 21 Michigan
Kearney D Bushong Son M 19 Michigan
Otto ? Bushong Son M 18 Michigan
Beatrice L Bushong Daughter F 15 Michigan
Ruth W Bushong Daughter F 14 Michigan
Craig B Bushong Son M 10 Michigan
Myona V Bushong Daughter F 0 Michigan
~~~~~~
Marshall Evening Chronicle Newspaper
2/12/1951
I have on my desk this morning three letters from one of our local boys who was called to the colors.
He is Craig Bushong, son of Mr. and Mrs. Kearney Bushong, of Eckford and is lcoated at the present time in Camp Polk, La.
It is sort of interesting to read the reactions of a young fellow who is being made a soldier.
His first letter, dated January 24, states that they landed there that morning at 2:00 a. m., and after being fed, were sent to bed but were called out for activities at 5:30 in the morning.
At that time the weather was fine, sun shining and actually hot.
He stated he had been assigned to headquarters company, whatever that meant as he hadn't learned yet.
In his opinion things are or were happening so fast that it was hard to keep up with things, one guy would throw something at you, then several others would do the same, and the first thing you knew you were waiting to be drilled.
The camp is a big place he said, but he'd rather be home where it wasn't so big.
~~~~~~~~~
The next letter dated January 27, and the sun was still shining. He told of many of the fellows in his outfit and the many states they were from, some being considered as good fellows and others possibly not so good.
He had been playing football with them and put a kink in one of his knees, after whcih he resorted to punching a speed bag.
His gang had been issued rifles, and they had spent a busy day trying to get them clean of the grease coating put on by the company who made them.
It was the first time in his life he said, that he ever had to clean a rifle with soap and water. They are now[sic] allowed to call their rifle a gun. Three fellows did that and were ordered to sleep with their rifles in bed that night.
In his opinion, the water tastes like swamp water, but the food is good and they get plenty of it.
He explains about drilling and some of the officers they have, all from the National Guard in Oklahoma.
~~~~~~~
During the time until the next letter which I have and written Feb. 4, the cold wave had hit, the ground was covered with snow and they were having a rather rough time of it.
He told of them being issued long underwear, and of how they had to strip down to their shorts in order to be fitted, and of how they scampered around nearly freezing to death while that was going on. Some of the fellows were even wearing both suits of underwear at one time.
Craig was having a rough time getting shoes, they couldn't find any to fit him, and he refused to take those that wouldn't because he claimed you can't exchange them if you get the wrong ones at first.
They went on the first hike a day or so before the letter was written, a four mile job, and according to him some of the boys must have thought it was 50 miles.
~~~~~~~
This lad must have had a car which was his pride and joy here at home, because in every letter he asks if his old "Chevy" is still perculating or if it has given up and fallen apart.
Craig B. Bushong, 60, of Homer MI died , January 21, 1991, at the Community Health Center of Branch County in Coldwater following a sudden illness.
Born April 21, 1930, he was the son of Kearney H. and Della (Radle) Bushong.
On May 26, 1951, he married the former Valetta Bleam in Grand Rapids.
A long-time resident of the Homer-Marshall area, he had worked in management over 30 years for Union Steel Products in Albion.
He was a radio operator in the Korean War with the U.S. Army.
He was a member of the Marshall Conservation Club; a life member of the NRA; Steel Headers Association, and an avid outdoorsman and sportsman.
Surviving are his wife, Valetta Bushong; a son, David Craig Bushong; a daughter, Mrs. Don (Claudette) Tinney, three grandchildren; two brothers, Otto "Connie" Bushong of Homer and Clarence Bushong of Eckford, and two sisters, Ruth Tobias and Myra Lapland .
A sister, Beatrice O'Dell and a brother Kearney David Bushong preceded him in death.
Burial will follow at Fairview Cemetery in Homer MI.
~~~~
Father: Kearney H Bushong
Mother: Della Radle
Siblings: Clarence, Otto, Kearney, Beatrice, Ruth, Marjorie, Myona
Married: Valetta M Bleam
Children:
1. Claudette Bushong m-Don Tinney
2. David Craig Bushong m-Mary Zimmerman, m-Mary, m-Kelley
__________
Reference:
1940 Eckford Calhoun Co Michigan
Kearney H Bushong Head M 44 Ohio
Della B Bushong Wife F 41 Michigan
Clarence E Bushong Son M 21 Michigan
Kearney D Bushong Son M 19 Michigan
Otto ? Bushong Son M 18 Michigan
Beatrice L Bushong Daughter F 15 Michigan
Ruth W Bushong Daughter F 14 Michigan
Craig B Bushong Son M 10 Michigan
Myona V Bushong Daughter F 0 Michigan
~~~~~~
Marshall Evening Chronicle Newspaper
2/12/1951
I have on my desk this morning three letters from one of our local boys who was called to the colors.
He is Craig Bushong, son of Mr. and Mrs. Kearney Bushong, of Eckford and is lcoated at the present time in Camp Polk, La.
It is sort of interesting to read the reactions of a young fellow who is being made a soldier.
His first letter, dated January 24, states that they landed there that morning at 2:00 a. m., and after being fed, were sent to bed but were called out for activities at 5:30 in the morning.
At that time the weather was fine, sun shining and actually hot.
He stated he had been assigned to headquarters company, whatever that meant as he hadn't learned yet.
In his opinion things are or were happening so fast that it was hard to keep up with things, one guy would throw something at you, then several others would do the same, and the first thing you knew you were waiting to be drilled.
The camp is a big place he said, but he'd rather be home where it wasn't so big.
~~~~~~~~~
The next letter dated January 27, and the sun was still shining. He told of many of the fellows in his outfit and the many states they were from, some being considered as good fellows and others possibly not so good.
He had been playing football with them and put a kink in one of his knees, after whcih he resorted to punching a speed bag.
His gang had been issued rifles, and they had spent a busy day trying to get them clean of the grease coating put on by the company who made them.
It was the first time in his life he said, that he ever had to clean a rifle with soap and water. They are now[sic] allowed to call their rifle a gun. Three fellows did that and were ordered to sleep with their rifles in bed that night.
In his opinion, the water tastes like swamp water, but the food is good and they get plenty of it.
He explains about drilling and some of the officers they have, all from the National Guard in Oklahoma.
~~~~~~~
During the time until the next letter which I have and written Feb. 4, the cold wave had hit, the ground was covered with snow and they were having a rather rough time of it.
He told of them being issued long underwear, and of how they had to strip down to their shorts in order to be fitted, and of how they scampered around nearly freezing to death while that was going on. Some of the fellows were even wearing both suits of underwear at one time.
Craig was having a rough time getting shoes, they couldn't find any to fit him, and he refused to take those that wouldn't because he claimed you can't exchange them if you get the wrong ones at first.
They went on the first hike a day or so before the letter was written, a four mile job, and according to him some of the boys must have thought it was 50 miles.
~~~~~~~
This lad must have had a car which was his pride and joy here at home, because in every letter he asks if his old "Chevy" is still perculating or if it has given up and fallen apart.
Born April 21, 1930, he was the son of Kearney H. and Della (Radle) Bushong.
On May 26, 1951, he married the former Valetta Bleam in Grand Rapids.
A long-time resident of the Homer-Marshall area, he had worked in management over 30 years for Union Steel Products in Albion.
He was a radio operator in the Korean War with the U.S. Army.
He was a member of the Marshall Conservation Club; a life member of the NRA; Steel Headers Association, and an avid outdoorsman and sportsman.
Surviving are his wife, Valetta Bushong; a son, David Craig Bushong; a daughter, Mrs. Don (Claudette) Tinney, three grandchildren; two brothers, Otto "Connie" Bushong of Homer and Clarence Bushong of Eckford, and two sisters, Ruth Tobias and Myra Lapland .
A sister, Beatrice O'Dell and a brother Kearney David Bushong preceded him in death.
Burial will follow at Fairview Cemetery in Homer MI.
~~~~
Father: Kearney H Bushong
Mother: Della Radle
Siblings: Clarence, Otto, Kearney, Beatrice, Ruth, Marjorie, Myona
Married: Valetta M Bleam
Children:
1. Claudette Bushong m-Don Tinney
2. David Craig Bushong m-Mary Zimmerman, m-Mary, m-Kelley
__________
Reference:
1940 Eckford Calhoun Co Michigan
Kearney H Bushong Head M 44 Ohio
Della B Bushong Wife F 41 Michigan
Clarence E Bushong Son M 21 Michigan
Kearney D Bushong Son M 19 Michigan
Otto ? Bushong Son M 18 Michigan
Beatrice L Bushong Daughter F 15 Michigan
Ruth W Bushong Daughter F 14 Michigan
Craig B Bushong Son M 10 Michigan
Myona V Bushong Daughter F 0 Michigan
~~~~~~
Marshall Evening Chronicle Newspaper
2/12/1951
I have on my desk this morning three letters from one of our local boys who was called to the colors.
He is Craig Bushong, son of Mr. and Mrs. Kearney Bushong, of Eckford and is lcoated at the present time in Camp Polk, La.
It is sort of interesting to read the reactions of a young fellow who is being made a soldier.
His first letter, dated January 24, states that they landed there that morning at 2:00 a. m., and after being fed, were sent to bed but were called out for activities at 5:30 in the morning.
At that time the weather was fine, sun shining and actually hot.
He stated he had been assigned to headquarters company, whatever that meant as he hadn't learned yet.
In his opinion things are or were happening so fast that it was hard to keep up with things, one guy would throw something at you, then several others would do the same, and the first thing you knew you were waiting to be drilled.
The camp is a big place he said, but he'd rather be home where it wasn't so big.
~~~~~~~~~
The next letter dated January 27, and the sun was still shining. He told of many of the fellows in his outfit and the many states they were from, some being considered as good fellows and others possibly not so good.
He had been playing football with them and put a kink in one of his knees, after whcih he resorted to punching a speed bag.
His gang had been issued rifles, and they had spent a busy day trying to get them clean of the grease coating put on by the company who made them.
It was the first time in his life he said, that he ever had to clean a rifle with soap and water. They are now[sic] allowed to call their rifle a gun. Three fellows did that and were ordered to sleep with their rifles in bed that night.
In his opinion, the water tastes like swamp water, but the food is good and they get plenty of it.
He explains about drilling and some of the officers they have, all from the National Guard in Oklahoma.
~~~~~~~
During the time until the next letter which I have and written Feb. 4, the cold wave had hit, the ground was covered with snow and they were having a rather rough time of it.
He told of them being issued long underwear, and of how they had to strip down to their shorts in order to be fitted, and of how they scampered around nearly freezing to death while that was going on. Some of the fellows were even wearing both suits of underwear at one time.
Craig was having a rough time getting shoes, they couldn't find any to fit him, and he refused to take those that wouldn't because he claimed you can't exchange them if you get the wrong ones at first.
They went on the first hike a day or so before the letter was written, a four mile job, and according to him some of the boys must have thought it was 50 miles.
~~~~~~~
This lad must have had a car which was his pride and joy here at home, because in every letter he asks if his old "Chevy" is still perculating or if it has given up and fallen apart.
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