Douglas Charles Bush, 80, of O’Fallon, IL, born December 21, 1944, in Wilmington, DE, died Monday, April 28, 2025, at his residence.
Born the son of Howard Wilson and Irma Anna, nee Stockhecke, Bush. On April 5, 1975, he married Ruth Kathleen, nee Baumann, Gerdes in Quincy, IL. Doug grew up in Quincy, Illinois, where he graduated from Quincy Senior High School in 1963. He received a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Illinois State University in 1967, a Master of Education Degree from the University of Missouri – Columbia in 1969, and a Doctor of Education Degree from Saint Louis University in 1980. He was president of the student body in high school and college.
Doug was in the United States Army in 1971 and 1972, serving in the Military District of Washington at the Fort Meyer Post Chapel at Arlington National Cemetery. Belleville Township High School District 201 in Illinois employed Doug as a teacher, assistant principal, and guidance director from 1967 until his retirement in 2004. He was an adjunct professor of education at Lindenwood University and McKendree University (2004-2011). In 2003, the Illinois School Counselor Association recognized him as High School Counselor of the Year.
Doug was confirmed by Pastor Rinehard Schroedel at Salem Evangelical and Reformed Church (now United Church of Christ) in Quincy in 1957. During his early years in Belleville, he taught Sunday School, was a youth sponsor and was on the church council at Zion Lutheran Church. For over thirty years he was active in St. Paul United Church of Christ in Belleville, working on the church council, including serving as president. He was on St. Paul’s Home Board and Endowment Board, including serving as Chairman of the Home Board. He is currently a member of Faith Lutheran Church in O’Fallon.
He was a member of the Rotary Club of Swansea, IL, and served as President in 2010-2011. He was presently a member of the Optimist Club of Belleville.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his father-in-law and mother-in-law, The Reverend Dr. Robert John and Kathleen Alma Marie, nee Brucker, Baumann; grandparents, Edward Henry August and Anna Mary Charlotte, nee Albsmeyer, Stockhecke; grandmother, Dora (Kidwell) Bush; and an aunt, Grace Charlotte, nee Stockhecke, Koring.
He is survived by his wife, Ruth; a daughter, Kathleen Octavia Gerdes and her husband, John Stoops of Chicago, IL, and their son, George; a daughter, Kara Anne Koymen and her husband, Dr. Hakan Koymen of Baltimore, MD, their daughter, Maxine and son, Edward; a brother, Alan Bush (Diana) of Boynton Beach, FL; sister-in-law, Mary Ann Jenkins (William) of Mascoutah, IL; three half-sisters, Carole De Angeli of Phoenix, Az, Connie (Larry) Douglas of Reno, NV, and Susan McNeall of Mindon, NV; a half-brother, Bruce (Eileen) McNeall of Reno, NV; and nephews, nieces, and cousins.
Memorials may be made to The Belleville East Scholarship Fund, or Faith Lutheran Church, O’Fallon, IL, or to a charity of the donor’s choice. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.rennerfh.com.
Visitation: Friends may visit from 9 to 11 a.m. Monday, May 5, 2025, at Faith Lutheran Church, O’Fallon, IL.
Funeral: Funeral services at 11 a.m. Monday, May 5, 2025, at Faith Lutheran Church, O’Fallon, IL, with Rev. Candice Wassell officiating. A luncheon will follow the service.
Private burial with military honors will be at St. Paul Cemetery, Columbia, IL.
