obituaries

Claude Davis

Jerseyville |

JERSEYVILLE-  Claude J. "Buzz" Davis, 85, died at 5:40 a.m., Thursday, March 26, 2015 at his residence after a period of declining heath.He was born in Kane on July 2, 1929, and was one of five children born to the late Claude & Beulah (Brooks) Davis.As a U.S. veteran, Buzz was a member of the Jerseyville American Legion, and was a loyal member of the Holy Ghost Catholic Church and the Knight of Columbus.  Buzz had a passion for sports, and was a fan of the St. Louis Cardinals, Illinois Fighting Illini, JCHS Panthers, and following his grandchildren as they participated with the Brussels Raiders and Southwestern Piasa Birds.  If he couldn't be there in person, you could be assured he was watching it on TV or listening to the radio.He was voted the JCHS Homecoming Spirit representing the Class of 1947, and over the years he coached two very successful Buzz's Body Shop Khoury League teams, volunteered coached for numerous Holy Ghost Catholic School teams, and sponsored many teams throughout the Jerseyville community.  He was also an avid fisherman, catching fish whenver or wherever he could.Buzz had a passion for cars like no other.  He opened Buzz's Body Shop in 1962, and built a solid base of customers who became friends, and his business stood the tests of time through honesty and integrity.He married the former Rita Margaret Schleeper on Feb. 3, 1951 in Jerseyville.  Their marriage spanned 60 years and together they were blessed with their six children, before her death on June 6, 2011.Surviving are three daughters & sons in law, Linda & Greg Burton of Jerseyville, Christine "Tina" Davis of Jerseyville, and Mary & Eric Friedel of Meppen; two sons & daughters in law Rick & Terri Davis of Shipman and Tim & Ginger Davis of Jerseyville; a daughter in law, Beth Ann Davis of Jerseyville; 15 Grandchildren; numerous great grandchildren; and two sisters & a brother in law, Sandy & William Klunk of Jerseyville, and IdellaBridgewater of Nixa, Mo.In addition to his parents, and his wife, he was preceded in death by a son, John C. Davis on Aug. 5, 2000; a granddaughter, Jennifer (Davis) Cundiff; a great granddaughter, Madison Cundiff; a son in law, Dwight Murphy; a sister, Flois Parish; and a brother, Hubert "Gene" Davis.Visitation will be from 2 to 7 p.m., Sunday at the Crawford Funeral Home in Jerseyville, where a Rosary will be recited at 1:30 p.m.A Mass of Christian Burial will be conducted at 10 a.m.,Monday at the Holy Ghost Catholic Church in Jerseyville, with Father William Hembrow officiating.Burial will be in the St. Francis Xavier Cemetery in Jerseyville, with the Jerseyville American Legion Post 492 conducting military graveside rites.Memorials may be given to the American Heart Association or to St. Francis/Holy Ghost Catholic Schools of Jerseyville.........to the many family and friends who were able to experience time with Buzz swinging on his beloved yard swing......we are the lucky ones.


Obit Provided By:
Crawford Funeral Home

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