Mary Busam

Cannelton, Indiana Mary E. Busam, 83, passed away at her home on Friday, July 27, 2012. She was born in St. Louis, Missouri on July 18, 1929, daughter of the late Frank Ahrens and Mary (Wittmer) Ahrens. Also preceding her in death was her husband Russell Busam in 1953, and a sister, Doris Behnke and a great granddaughter, Allison Day. After her mother's death in 1933, Mary returned to Cannelton and was raised by her grandmother, Bertha Wittmer. Mary was a 1947 graduate of Cannelton High School and attended Brescia College. Before her marriage, she was employed at the United States Post Office in Cannelton Mary was united in marriage in October, 1949 to Russell F. Busam, who passed away in 1953. She retired in 1994 from the News Publishing Co. where she was a photographer and reporter. She had also been employed as secretary for the Selective Service Board. She was a former correspondent for the Evansville Courier, Lousiville Courier Journal and Indianapolis News. Mary received an Indiana State Press Award. In 1990 she was the recipient of the Honorary Jaycee Award and was named a Kentucky Colonel. Mary was a member of St. Michael Catholic Church, St. Ann's Society, Harry G. Myers American Legion Auxillary and past member of the Perry County Memorial Hospital Auxillary. She is survived by a son, Thomas F. Busam, Cannelton, a daughter, Mary E. Meunier (Jim), Evanston, seven grandchildren, Jason Meunier (Eva), Lisa Day (Eric), Lynn Peter, (Darrell), Nicole Osborne (Tony) and Jon Meunier (Nikki) and great grandchildren, Caroline and Ben Meunier, Bryce and Kyla Peter, Emma and Sarah Day and Zach Osborne. A mass of Christian burial will be held at 10:00 AM Monday, July 30, 2012 at St. Michael Catholic Church in Cannelton with burial in the church cemetery. Rev. Sengole Thomas will officiate. Visitation is from 3:00 until 8:00 PM Sunday and 8:30 until 9:30 Monday at Huber Funeral Home, Cannelton Chapel. Memorial contribution may be made to St. Michael Catholic Church.