John D. "Buck" Bellush
May 22, 1935 ~ September 28, 2022
John D. “Buck” Bellush, 87, of Indianapolis, passed away peacefully at his home on September 28, 2022. He was born on May 22, 1935 in Bedford, Indiana to the late South and Ada (Shields) Bellush. Buck graduated from Bedford High School in 1954. He married his high school sweetheart, Rebecca E. “Becky” May, on June 15, 1963. They were married for 58 years until her death on June 29, 2021.
Buck worked as a planning engineer at Indiana Bell, retiring in 1991 after 32 years of loyal service. He served in the Army National Guard from 1956-1959. He was a longtime member of St. Barnabas Catholic Church where he spent many years coaching CYO basketball. Buck was an avid Indiana University basketball fan and a huge fan of Bob Knight. He adored his grandchildren and never missed the opportunity to attend their sporting events and activities. Over the years, he enjoyed spending time with his family and friends at his home in The Villages, Florida where he liked to play golf and take his grandchildren on golf cart rides.
Buck is survived by his two daughters, Beth Washel and Karen (Mike) Harmon; grandchildren Kailey Washel, Emma, Elaina, and Andrew Harmon; brother Jim (Dianne) Bellush, sisters Johann Klumpp and Jeri (Bill) Anderson; several nieces and nephews, and close friends.
Buck was preceded in death by his wife, Becky, sister, Janet Bellush, brother-in-law, Gus Klumpp, and parents, South and Ada Bellush.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Catholic Youth Organization or St. Barnabas Athletics.
Buck’s Life Celebration® visitation will be on Friday, October 7, 2022, from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM in the chapel at O’Riley – Branson Funeral Service & Crematory, 6107 South East Street, Indianapolis, Indiana 46227. The Funeral Service will begin at 2:00 PM on Friday in the funeral home with Father Paul Shikany officiating. Burial will follow in Calvary Cemetery, Indianapolis. To sign the online guest registry or share a favorite memory of Buck, please visit www.ORileyBranson.com.
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Beth Ann, Karen, Mike, Kailey, Emma, Elaina, and Andrew, Please know of our deepest sympathy at this time of Buck’s death. We certainly enjoyed knowing him these 25+ years and sharing many events with the Bellush Family. May he and Becky RIP…
Praying for peace and comfort during this difficult time. All our love, Joe and Monica Allen and family
We are grateful for the time we spent with Buck. He will be missed. Sending love and heartfelt sympathies, Kevin and Savvy.
May your heart and soul find peace and comfort. Much love.
I have too many memories of Buck! He was a great neighbor on Rios Ct. We spent so many evenings in his driveway where the guys would tell the same stories over and over again about our younger days, laughing as if it was the first time.
One of the funniest incidents is when I had the rare occasion to need to use my iron and found a 'palmetto' bug in the water reservoir. I could see it through the plastic. I took it to Buck and Jim and asked what they thought, how was I to extract it? They decided they could handle it. A few hours later they brought it back to me in a box. The iron was probably in 50 pieces but the bug was nowhere to be seen. We laughed about that one for years.
Buck was a wonderful man, a great neighbor, and I know he was a devoted husband, father, and such a proud grandpa! He will be missed.
Kailey & family, My thoughts & prayers are with you all as you mourn the loss of your sweet Grandpa. Grandparents are truly God’s gift to us.
Emma, Sorry for you and your families loss. With deepest sympathy, Philip and Rosie Rogers
Brian and family. We are so sorry for your loss but your Uncles influence shows through in your daily life. May God give you and your family peace.