George J. Buser, Jr., 79, of Overland Park, KS, died Wednesday, August 16, 2000 at a Kansas City hospital.

He was born September 2, 1920, at Seneca, KS, the eldest son of George J., Sr., and Elizabeth Karnowski Buser. He grew up in Seneca and graduated from Sts. Peter & Paul High School in 1938. After high school, he attended Rockhurst College, Kansas State University, and the University of Missouri at Kansas City, where he received a BA in Economics, followed by a Juris Doctor.

During World War II, George served in the US Army Air Corps in the China-Burma-India theatre.

He was married to Mary Brungardt in 1945. She survives of the home in Overland Park.

In 1990 he retired as vice president and trust officer for Valley View State Bank in Overland Park. His career in banking spanned 50 years, during which time he was employed by the National Bank in Seneca, the Traders National Bank in Kansas City, MO, the Plaza State Bank in Des Moines, IA, and the Suburban Bank in Kansas City, MO. He was also an instructor at the American Institute of Banking at the Evening Division of Rockhurst College.

He was a member of Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Overland Park where he served as a Eucharistic minister, lector, and assistant sacristan. He was a former president of the Eastern Kansas Estate Planning Council and the Oakshire Homes Association. He was an Honorary Life Member of the Seneca Council #1769 of the Knights of Columbus and former member of the Earle W. Taylor Post #21 of the American Legion, both at Seneca.

Survivors besides his wife Mary are a son, Michael Buser of Overland Park; a daughter, Mary George Warren of New Orleans; three sisters, Sister Christella Buser of Concordia, KS, Mary Beth Morrissey of Aberdeen, WA, and Judith Lortcher, Hurst, TX; a brother, Alfred Buser of Seneca; and two grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by four brothers, Donald G., John F., Eugene E., and Burton L. Buser.

George wanted everyone to know that he always remembered Seneca as a special place. From the time he was taken under the wing of E.A. Grollmes at the old National Bank of Seneca, through his retirement years in Overland Park, he maintained his high regard for Seneca, and kept up with Seneca news through a subscription to the Courier Tribune. He was especialy proud of the new library annex and the Fire and Sheriff’s Departments, of which he fondly remembered Charles E. Carman and Dave Bieri.

George wished to thank everyone for the many fun days growing up in Seneca, from the Fall Festivals to the K of C picnics in Koehler’s Grove. One of his best memories is winning the Blue Ribbon for Best Potato at the Nemaha County 4-H Fair….though he now admits he bought that potato for 10 cents at the A&P store!

Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 7 PM Monday, August 21, at Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Overland Park, with visitation beginning at 5:30 PM at the church before the service. A reception in celebration of Mr. Buser’s life will follow in St. Elizabeth’s Hall at the church. Amos Family Funeral Home in Lenexa is in charge of those arrangements.

The family will meet with friends at 1 PM Tuesday at Lauer Funeral Home in Seneca. Graveside services will be at 2 PM Tuesday at Sts. Peter & Paul Cemetery in Seneca, with full military honors by the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars.

Memorial contributions may be given for the Benedictine Sisters, 801 S. 8th St., Atchison, KS 66002 or to the Benedictine Fathers, Atchison, KS 66002.