Buettner, Joseph R.

Joseph Richard Buettner, 84, of Petersburg, died Wednesday, April 11, 2007, born in Syracuse, NY in 1922, the son of the late Joseph Richard, Sr. and Catherine James Buettner. He was a graduate of Marcellus (NY) High School and Syracuse University, where he earned B.A. and M.S. degrees. Mr. Buettner served in the U.S. Army in World War II and the Korean War. During World War II, he served with the 94th Signal Battalion, and received a Presidential Unit Citation for service in the Battle of the Bulge, the Hurtgen Forest and the bridge at Remagen. During the Korean War, he served with the 97th AAA Gun Battalion based in Showa, Japan. He retired from the U.S. Army Reserve as a Lt. Col. Mr. Buettner was a longtime civilian employee of the Quartermaster School at Fort Lee. After his retirement, he served on the Petersburg Redevelopment and Housing Authority. He was also active in the Democratic Party and served for a time as chairman of the Petersburg Democratic Committee. He was also a longtime member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, where he was active on the Social Justice Committee. Mr. Buettner is survived by his wife of 60 years, Rosemary Pollard Buettner; three sons, Richard J. (Ann O’Bryan) of Bath, England, Michael P. (Linda Rush) of Charleston, SC, and Matthew J. of the home; his daughter, Mary C. Harper of Margate, NJ; and grandson, Deric Buettner of England. He is also survived by nieces, Maura Pollard of New York, Tara (John) Macia of Baltimore; nephew, Sean Pollard of Rockville, MD; great-nephew, Terence Macia of Baltimore; step-grandchildren and step-great-grandchildren; and many cousins in Upstate New York. A Mass of the Resurrection will be said Monday, April 16, 2007 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church with the Father Robert Spencer officiating. A Wake will be held Sunday at 4:00 p.m. at the Petersburg Chapel of J.T. Morriss & Son Funeral Home & Cremation Service with a visitation to follow until 6:00 p.m. Burial will be in St. Joseph’s Cemetery following service. Flowers are welcome, memorial contributions may be made to the St. Joseph’s Church Outreach Program, P.O. Box 2000, Petersburg, VA 23804. Condolences may be registered at www.jtmorriss.com.