Ersel "Buz" E. Burgess

Ersel E. “Buz” Burgess, 83, joined his Dottie in heaven on June 2, 2021 after a brief stay at Cloverleaf Healthcare. He was born on November 24, 1937 in Detroit, Michigan to the late Collett and Edna (Mowbray) Burgess. Buz graduated high school in 1955, and served his country in the United States Air Force. He married the love of his life Dorothy “Dottie” White on June 4, 1960. Buz earned his Batchelor’s Degree in 1959, followed by his Master’s Degree in 1960, and later earned his Ed. D. He was a life long educator, serving as a teacher, principal, and superintendent in various school corporations including, Clay Community Schools, Washington Indiana Schools, Knightstown Schools, College Heights Christian School, and Bloomfield High School. Buz worked for a brief time as a correctional officer and in his retirement enjoyed working for Moore Funeral Home and substitute teaching at many schools in the Wabash Valley. 

Buz was a member of the Brazil First Methodist Church where he served as a trustee, choir member, and Sunday school teacher; he was previously a member of the Brazil First Christian Church, where he was a Deacon, Elder and Choir Director. In addition to his church affiliations, Buz was a member and past director of the Brazil Concert Band and the Jackson Township Band, he was also an active member of the Brazil Rotary Club and the Brazil Kiwanis Club. In his free time Buz enjoyed bowling, spending time with friends, going to the library, playing in his Fabulous 40’s Band, watching his Chicago Bears and always looked forward to his “Hokey Pokey” a drink he concocted himself. He was preceded in death by his wife, Dorothy “Dottie” Burgess, and his step-father, Bob Bright.

Survivors include his son, Brent (Dr. Claudia) Burgess; daughters, Pennie (Jerry) Brown, and Holly (Mike) Casazza; grandchildren, Justin Greenwalt, Dr. Brandon (Dr. Julie) Greenwalt, Jared Peper; great-grandchildren, Aiden, Carson, and Analee Greenwalt.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 A.M. Tuesday, June 8, 2021 at Brazil First Methodist Church in Brazil with Pastor Rick Koch and Pastor Guy Lipkins officiating and burial to follow at Calcutta Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 3:00-7:00 P.M. Monday at Moore Funeral Home in Brazil. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Cloverleaf Healthcare of Knightsville or the Brazil Concert Band; envelopes will be available at the funeral home.