Terry L. Buzzard, 72, of Mt. Auburn passed away on Sunday, January 8, 2017 in his home, surrounded by those who love him. The second son of Carl and Lois (Truitt) Buzzard, Terry was born in Effingham, Illinois on October 10, 1944. The family moved to the Mt. Auburn area to farm when Terry was young, and he continued to live on and farm the same land until his death. In addition to farming, Terry was a DeKalb seed dealer and co-owner of The Buzzards Roost bar in Mt. Auburn.
Family was at the heart of everything Terry did, and he built his family with the love of his life, Judy Herman of Mt. Auburn. They were joined in marriage on July 25, 1965 at the Mt. Auburn Methodist Church. Together they created a home full of support, love, and laughter for their three children, and, later, seven grandchildren.
Spending his life in Mt. Auburn, Terry devoted much time and effort to improving his community. After graduating from Mt. Auburn High School, where he was active in sports, FFA, and causing mischief with his brother Gary and friend Ike Leeper, among others, Terry was involved in many organizations. They included the Mt. Auburn Lions Club, Mt. Auburn Picnic Association, and the Mt. Auburn Community (Building) Club. He served on the Mt. Auburn Volunteer Fire Department for over 40 years, serving as chief for 18 of those years. He greatly enjoyed taking the fire truck to the elementary school and hosting tours for students at the fire house, allowing them to see and sit on a real fire truck. Terry was also involved with AirEvac of Illinois, and helped plan visits of the medical helicopter to the community.
Politics, from local to national, was another passion of Terry’s. He spent several years as the Mosquito Township Republican Precinct Committeeman, and he worked on various local and county elections throughout the years. Fox News was usually required viewing. He loved a good political discussion, and never altered his views based on who the conversation might be with.
Terry is deeply loved, and will be greatly missed, by his wife of 51 years, Judy, and their children, Denise (Brian) Ward, Dennis (April) Buzzard, and Debbie (Steve) Kuntzman, all of Mt. Auburn. He was also a special grandpa to Jessi and Brooke Ward, Nic, Seth, Hanna and Brody Buzzard, and Lacey Kuntzman. His influence will forever be felt in their lives.
Many of those he loved left his life too soon, including his parents, sister Janet and brother-in-law David Greene, brother Gary Buzzard and nephew Todd Buzzard. Loved ones surviving, in addition to his wife, children and grandchildren, include sister Cheryl (Gary) Butcher and mother-in-law Mildred Herman, all of Mt. Auburn, and several special cousins, nieces and nephews.
To honor and celebrate Terry’s life, a visitation will be held Wednesday, Jan. 11 at McClure Funeral Home in Taylorville, from 4 p.m. until 7p.m., with services held the following day, also at McClure Funeral Home, at 10 a.m. Memorials may be made to either the Mt. Auburn Fire Department or the Mt. Auburn Community Club. Additional information can be found at www.mcclurefuneralhome.com.
