Marcia Lee Buenger, 92, of Glen Carbon and formerly of Granite City, Illinois passed away at Eden Village in Glen Carbon on Friday, October 3, 2025.
She was born July 20, 1933, in Herrin, Illinois, a daughter of the late Elmer and Beatrice (Voekel) Rittenhouse.
She moved to Granite City at a young age and attended Nameoki Grade School. She graduated in 1951 from Granite City High School where she had met Earl in their Junior year in 1950. After graduation, she went to work for Metropolitan Life Insurance Company. Marcia married the love of her life, Earl C. Buenger on April 30, 1955, at St. John United Church of Christ in Granite City after his return from the United States Army. He passed away on October 19, 2023, after over 68 years of a wonderful marriage together. She retired in 1958 to be a devoted wife and mother being very active in the lives of her two boys. In 1970, Marcia and Earl bought O’Brien Tire in Granite City. They continued operating the business until their retirement and turning it over to their boys in 1992.
Marcia was a lifetime member of St. John United Church of Christ where she was active with the choir for over 20 years and served as the Past President of the Evening Guild more than once. She was also a member of the Granite City Elkettes and served as a Den Mother with the Cub Scouts Pack #22. She was very active with the Granite City Paddler’s Swim Club and Belleville and East St. Louis YMCA swim programs year round. She and her mother was very active with swimming, traveling over many states attending swim meets. Marcia and her husband loved to travel, visiting all 50 states and many memories made throughout the world. They were very interested in the history of the Lewis and Clark expedition and explored and drove the entire route from Camp DuBois in Hartford, Illinois to For Clatsop in Astoria, Oregon. Marcia was an avid shopper and collector. They also loved their time spent at their home at Lake of the Ozarks, enjoying many good times with family and friends.
She is survived by two sons and daughters-in-law, Mark and Karen Buenger of Glen Carbon and Scott Buenger and Elizabeth Eck-Buenger of Belleville; four grandchildren and spouses, Bryttany and Andrew Nelson, Ian and Mikayla Buenger, Ryan Buenger and Jason Shafer; several great grandchildren; other extended family and many friends.
Her late husband wrote, “A good wife and a great life. All my love forever, Earl.”
In celebration of her life, visitation will be at Irwin Chapel, 591 Glen Crossing Road in Glen Carbon on Monday, October 20, 2025, from 9:00 a.m. until time of a funeral service at 11:00 a.m. with Reverend Karla Frost officiating.
Burial will follow at Sunset Hill Memorial Estates in Glen Carbon.
Memorials may be made to the Eden Village Foundation or to Vitas Hospice and may be accepted at the funeral chapel. www.irwinchapel.com
