St. Clair County Obits

KATHLEEN CARRIER VANBUSKIRK

Kathleen VanBuskirk of Appleton City was the daughter of Elizabeth Carolyn (Jones) and Abner Lee Carrier. She was born in Rockingham County near Shenandoah, Virginia, on October 6, 1905. She died at her home in Appleton City on March 24, 1997, at 91 years of age. In 1916 she moved with her family from Virginia to a farm south of Appleton City. Kathleen was united in marriage to Floyd VanBuskirk of Appleton City on November 24, 1924, at the Butler Christian Church Parsonage. The first 12 years of their marriage were spent on a farm south of Appleton City where their children, Edmond and Lavon were born. In 1936, the family moved to the community of Ohio, east of Appleton City, where Floyd and Kathleen lived until 1971 when they retired and moved to Appleton City. Kathleen was a member of the Green Valley Methodist Church until its closure, at which time she transferred her membership to the Trinity United Methodist Church of Appleton City. She enjoyed being an active member of the church, the King's Daughters Sunday School Class, the Order of the Eastern Star Olive Branch Chapter #157, the United Methodist Women's Fellowship, quilting and doing things for others. Kathleen was preceded in death by her husband, Floyd, on January 25, 1987; her brother, Joseph Carrier, and her sister, Virginia Heiserman. She is survived by her brother, Lynwood Carrier, and his wife, Florence; one son, Edmond VanBuskirk, and his wife, Lois; her daughter, Lavon Sommer, and her husband, James; grandchildren, Shirley (VanBuskirk) Gwin, Linda (VanBuskirk) Sala, Terry VanBuskirk, Larry Pipes, Barbra (Pipes) Mistron, Rodney Pipes and 11 great-grandchildren. Funeral services were at Hill & Son Funeral Home, Appleton City, Friday, March 28, at 2 p.m. Rev. Fred Smith and Rev. Craig Ballard officiated. Eastern Star service was conducted by the Order of the Eastern Star, Olive Branch Chapter #157. Burial was in Appleton City Cemetery.