Obituary of Sammie Wheeler Bussell

Sammie Wheeler Bussell was born January 15, 1925 in Harrogate, Tennessee.   He was one of eleven children born from the union of the late Clarence and the late Donnie (Daniels) Bussell.   At the age of seventeen he moved North to Monroe and took employment with Monsanto Chemical.  

His heart was still in the South, so he often returned to Harrogate to visit.   There he would meet and soon convince the former Reva Olean Giles to be his wife.   The couple married on February 2, 1943 and from this union came the birth of six children.   Sammie often joked, “It was the best twenty-five dollars he ever spent.”   Sammie was an amazing welder, dedicated, and hard working.   His career with Monsanto would span thirty-three years retiring in 1975.

Sammie made the most of every day.   An avid outdoorsman, he often served as the camp chef for Northern Michigan hunting trips.   With an eye for the unique, he took weekly trips to the Tazewell flea markets in hopes of covering his travel expenses.   Sammie was blessed with an uplifting spirit, and the ability to make almost every activity fun.   He was an inspiration to be around.    Sammie regularly attended Straight Creek Baptist Church, New Tazewell.

He shared the last years of  his life with Jewels Cunningham and her family which he loved very much

Sammie Wheeler Bussell, age 93 of Rockwood passed away on Sunday, March 18, 2018 at his daughter’s home in Oregon, Ohio under the care of Hospice of Northwest Ohio.   In addition to his parents, his passing was preceded by his wife of fifty-nine years Reva; a son: Earnest; two grandchildren: Brian Bussell and Karly Vass; brothers: Louie, Elmer, Clarence, Junior, and Fuston; and sisters: Gloria Harris and Zella Harmen.

To cherish his memory, he leaves five children: Garry Bussell of South Rockwood, Marvin (Cathy) Bussell of South Rockwood, Glenn Bussell of Brownstown, Brenda (Dennis) Smith of Oregon, Ohio and Dennis Bussell of Rockwood; siblings: Hazel Cosby of Monroe, Gainell Abrams of Tazewell and Lee Bussell of Tazewell; ten grandchildren; twenty-seven great grandchildren; and one great-great grandchild.

Friends may gather on Friday, March 23, 2018 from 2:00pm-8:00pm at Merkle Funeral Service, 2442 North Monroe (734)384-5185.   A Celebration of His Life will be at 11:00am on Saturday, March 24 also at Merkle’s with Pastor Roger Cosby officiating.   Burial will follow at Riverside Cemetery in South Rockwood.

Online guests may visit www.merklefs.com.