Robert "Bob" H. Buss

Robert H. ‘Bob’ Buss, age 83, of Merrill, passed away on Thursday, December 15, 2016, at home under the care of his family and hospice care. Bob was born October 5, 1933, in Merrill, son of the late William and Ella Buss. He married Donna (Rusch) Schmidt on July 2, 1998. She survives. After being honorably discharged from the United States Navy, Bob moved to California. For 35 years he was employed by the U.S. Postal Service as a mail carrier. For 5 years, Bob also worked in the mailroom of ‘Francisco Torres’ which was a college housing facility. Bob loved the outdoors and was an avid bike rider. When he moved back to Merrill he became a member of St. John Lutheran Church. Bob and Donna enjoyed traveling throughout the United States, as well as to the Bahamas, Mexico and Hawaii. In 2008, they visited seven European countries. Survivors include his wife Donna Buss, Merrill; his twin brother, Bill (Diane) Buss, Santa Barbara, CA; his step children, Connie (Tim) Noragon, Weston, Tom (Jean) Schmidt, Wausau, James (Rae) Schmidt, Merrill, James (Dollie) Skellington, Kailua, Hawaii; and Susan Downey, Santa Barbara, CA; and his step grandchildren and step great-grandchildren, Adam Schmidt, Paul (Heidi) Schmidt, Emmett Michael Schmidt, Nikolaus (Erin) Schmidt, Azure, Ben, and Landen Skellington, Cindy Downey, and Lisa Williams. Bob was preceded in death by his parents; his first wife Beula; and his step son, Dennis Skellington. The funeral service will be held at 11:00 A.M. Monday, December 19, 2016, at the Taylor-Stine Funeral Home, Merrill. The Rev. Joel Hoelter will officiate. Burial will follow in Merrill Memorial Park Cemetery with graveside military rites conducted by the Merrill V.F.W. Post 1638 Honor Guard. Visitation will begin at 9:00 A.M. Monday at the funeral home. Online condolences may be made at www.taylorstinefuneralhome.com. “We would like to extend a huge thank you to Ministry Hospice, Kind Hearted Care, and Interim Home Care that provided such tender loving care to Bob and loving support to Donna and her family.”