Philip served in the U.S. Air Force from 1958 to 1962, making the best of his time dedicated to our country. He worked at various places, such as Scott Air Force Base and National Cash Register Company before serving as vice-president of Belleville National Bank and as senior vice-president of State Bank of Jerseyville. Mr. Buettner retired as the chief financial officer for the Diocese of Belleville. It is hard to put into words all that he achieved throughout his 74 years and the amazing relationships he developed with so many friends along the way.
On January 11, 1964, he married Marianne Winter, with whom he shared his love and his love for life for 51 years, together raising six beautiful children. He provided for his wife and children with dignity and pride in all that he did.
After retiring, Phil volunteered at places such as the Community Kindness Resale Shop in Belleville and the Catholic Knights & Ladies of Illinois in Swansea. He dabbled in the art of many adventures, such as cooking, banking, bowling, bartending, gun-slinging, showing antique cars, card playing, barbecuing, mushroom-hunting, woodcarving, traveling the whole United States with his family of all ages, and, most importantly, laughing. He established relationships with so many people in ways that most would only dream of experiencing.
Nothing in life rivaled Phil’s love for his children and grandchildren. He was, and always will be, a loving and strong but gentle father, an educator, a devoted husband, an amazingly proud grandfather, a wonderful listener, a serious jokester, and a man of impeccable quiet advice. While encountering many health issues these past years, when asked “How are you?”, he would always reply “Fine.” He was strong in his ways and always advised his family to do as he said, not as he did. And finally, he would want us all to remember to “sit loosely in the saddle of life” and to “approach it with a little levity”.
Phil was preceded in death by a daughter, Pamela Buescher; his parents, Frank E. and Marie A., nee Billhartz, Buettner; two brothers, Richard Buettner and Francis Buettner; and two sisters, Marcella (Mike) Milligan and Shirley (Joe) Pettibone.
He will be forever missed by his beloved wife, Marianne Buettner;
the families of their three sons, two daughters, and son-in-law,
Brian (Denise) Buettner of Belleville, IL,
Michael (JoAnn) Buettner of Belleville, IL,
Eric (Katie) Buettner of Batavia, IL,
Lisa Wienhoff of Geneva, IL,
Janelle (Ryan) Kozsdiy of Belleville, IL;
and Brian Buescher of Belleville, IL;
15 grandchildren, Megan, Renee, Kevin, Aaron, and Kayla Buettner,
Justin, Jill Ann, and Jacob Buettner,
Emily and Ethan Wienhoff,
Elaina, Anna, and Norah Buescher,
Lilah Kozsdiy, and Philip Buettner;
two sisters, Anna Marie (Charles) Hukel of Belleville, IL,
and Mary Lou (Bob) Carter of Brighton, IL;
a sister-in-law, Ruby Buettner of Belleville, IL;
and many nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, plants, or Masses, the family requests donations be made in memory of Philip Buettner to one of the following charities: Community Kindness Resale Shop, 500 East Main Street, Belleville, IL 62220, Family Hospice, 5110 West Main Street, Belleville, IL 62226, or the Community Interfaith Food Pantry, 1218 West Main Street, Belleville, IL 62220. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.rennerfh.com.
Funeral: All are welcome to attend the Mass celebrating Phil’s life, which will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, February 14, 2015, at St. Luke’s Catholic Church, Belleville, IL, with Father James Nall officiating.
Condolences Left For Philip Buettner
Mary Ann and Family,
Keeping you all in prayer. May God grant Phil peace, and eternal joy for all the good he did in his life, and for the love he shared. His faith, his integrity, and his support and concern for so many of us, as well as the wonderful obituary speak volumes about the quality & content of Phil’s character. Having lived his life, he made a difference. Our little part of the world is better because of Phil.
Fr. Gene Neff, New Baden, IL, 62265
Please know that you are all in my thoughts and prayers. I know Phil was a wonderful family man, and he will be missed by many.
I have known your family for many years, but I must say the obituary was quite enlightening! I certainly did not know Phil dabbled in gun slinging! That made me laugh, and I did need to laugh!
Your family has experienced two devastating losses in a short amount of time, but it is obvious that there have been so many good memories in front of the losses, and I am certain there will be many good memories made in the years to come.
This is one of the best blessings of having a large and loving family. I will miss the Mass celebrating Phil’s life, but I will be with you all in thought and prayer. God Bless, and May You all find Peace!
Jane Stock, Belleville, IL, 62220
To the Buettner family:
Most of the times the simplest answer is the best answer. The simplest and best answer for me is, “I’m really glad I got to know Phil.”
Ken Eichholz, Waterloo, Illinois, 62298
Marianne and Family
May God be with all of you and bring you comfort and peace at this time of sorrow. Our prayers ate with all of you.
Joe & Kathleen davis, Linwood, Kansas, 66052
Sorry to hear of Phillips passing. Sorry that I will be unable to attend Phillips services on Saturday, because of another service that I will be attending at the same time. I hate that we have lost another Class of 1958 Cathedral High School member. My prayers are with Phillip and his family.
Elbert Eschman, Collinsville, Illinois, 62234
Sending our deepest regrets on not being able to make it to give our condolences in person.
Virgil & Jolene Becker, Smithton, IL, 62285
Laura and I are deeply sorry for your loss. I will miss our discussions about banking, finance, investments, family, etc.,etc. We will pray for you and your during this difficult time.
Jeff
Jeff Buettner, Caseyville, Illinois (IL), 62232
Many of us priests were glad to call Phil our friend. He was always a breath of fresh honest air. May you his family find peace and courage in his lived faith.
Father Steve Humphrey, St. Louis, MO, 63118
As a member of Camp Ondessonk Board of Directors I worked with Mr. Buettner at a very difficult time in Camp’s history. He was frank and professional in his opinion. He worked very hard to insure that the Camp would succeed in its mission to bring the children to the Lord through the great outdoors; to see the playground the Lord has provided.
I feel confident in saying that Camp’s success can be directly attributed to Phil’s support.
We will say a prayer for him and remember him at our Annual Flag Retirement Ceremony at Camp.
Sincerely,
Jim Shively
Belleville
Jim Shively, Belleville, IL, 62226