Earl Buenger

Earl C. Buenger, 90, of Glen Carbon and formerly of Granite City, Illinois passed away at 9:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 19, 2023, at his home at Eden Village in Glen Carbon.  He was born January 15, 1933, in Granite City, a son of the late Charles August and Edna Louise (Hommert) Buenger.  He married the love of his life, Marcia Lee (Rittenhouse) Buenger on April 30, 1955, at St. John United Church of Christ in Granite City and she survives.  He had worked at O’Brien Tire in Granite City since 1951 and purchased the business in 1970.  He continued as the owner and operator until 1992 when he turned it over to his sons.  He was a Past President and member of the Illinois Tire Dealers Association and on the Board of Directors of the National Tire Dealers Association.  The United States Army veteran proudly served his country as a supply sergeant with the 1^st Calvary division from 1953 until 1955 while stationed in Sapporo, Japan.  He was a lifetime faithful member of St. John United Church of Christ in Granite City where he was baptized, confirmed and married.  He had served as Past President and on the Church Council for many years.  He was very involved in the community throughout the years.  He was a Board member of the Paddler’s Swim club and helped to establish the Southwestern Illinois Swim Association.  Earl had served over 25 years of service on the Boards with First Granite City National Bank, Magna Bank, Union Planters Bank and Regions Bank and as a member of the Granite City Elks Lodge B.P.O.E. # 1063 with 53 years of membership.  He also served over 25 years as a Board member of St. Elizabeth Hospital and the St. Elizabeth Hospital Wellness Center.  He also helped to establish the St. Elizabeth Health Foundation Scholarship program and continued to support throughout the years.  Earl and his wife loved to travel, visiting all 50 states and many memories made throughout the world.  They were very interested in the history of the Lewis and Clark expedition and explored and drove the entire route from Camp DuBois in Hartford, Illinois to Fort Clatsop in Astoria, Oregon.  They also loved their time spent at their home at Lake of The Ozarks, enjoying many good times with family and friends.  In addition to his beloved wife of over 68 years, he is survived by two sons and daughters-in-law, Mark and Karen Buenger of Glen Carbon and Scott Buenger and Elizabeth Eck-Buenger of Carlyle; three grandchildren and spouses, Bryttany and Andrew Nelson, Ian and Mikayla Buenger and Ryan Buenger; several great-grandchildren; other extended family and friends.  In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother and sister-in-law, Robert and Mary Lou Buenger.  In celebration of his life, visitation will be held at Irwin Chapel, 591 Glen Crossing Road in Glen Carbon on Monday, October 23, 2023, from 11:00 a.m. until time of funeral service at 1:00 p.m. with Reverend Karla Frost officiating.  Burial with military honors will follow at Sunset Hill Memorial Estates in Glen Carbon.  Memorials may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project or to St. John United Church of Christ and may be accepted at the funeral home.  www.irwinchapel.com

Obit Provided By:
Irwin Chapel Funeral Home