Locations
StaffLife Story Funeral Director
joebuysse@lifestorynet.com
Joe was born at a very early age in Lapeer Michigan, but family lore has that he was found in an old chicken coop down by the creek. His childhood was pretty normal for being the youngest of five: survival, and trying to figure out which nickname he currently was required to answer to from his siblings. He has been working since the age of 12, and fate had it that on his last day of high school, he landed a summer job at the local funeral home taking care of the grounds.
During college, Joe landed employment at a funeral home and earned his cub-undertaking badge from a very caring and patient man who had schooled many young people over the years in the art of small town funeral directing. He eventually earned a Bachelor's degree from the Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science. While living in Cincinnati, Joe met the future Mrs. Buysse. She was young, artistic and had the looks of the "little red headed girl" from the comic strip Peanuts. He eventually won her heart over and swept her off her feet to a storybook wedding on July 2, 1988.
Joe and his wife have lived in St. Bernard, Ohio, Columbiaville and Lapeer, Michigan and since 1997 in Portage, Michigan with their son Adam. Their family also includes Adam's guinea pig Fudge, their dog Trixie, and billions and billions of dust particles and other things growing in and around the refrigerator. They are expecting a second child sometime between the months of October and January. Because of the long and sometimes "non traditional" hours required by funeral service, much of Joe's free time is dedicated to being at home with his family.
Joe believes in giving back to the community in which he lives and that is one of the reasons he belongs to the Kalamazoo Sunrise Kiwanis. He is also a member of Chapel Hill United Methodist Church, Kalamazoo Toastmasters #1270, and he is a regular volunteer at Haverhill Elementary School in Portage.
Joe has worked for Rupert, Durham, Marshall & Gren since 1999 and has developed many new skills over the years he has been there. Life Story Funeral Homes® has given him the opportunity, or permission, to serve families in a creative way that makes the funeral experience more meaningful and helpful to individuals and the communities in which he serves.
One of the best parts of Joe's job is inspiring people to take control of the funeral of their loved ones and making it personable and meaningful to them. If he fails in this task, all of the wonderful things that Life Story Network® provides would not have the same impact. Being a funeral director is a sacred job and Joe takes all of his responsibilities with utmost importance. He is very passionate about funeral service and has great enthusiasm for the path that Life Story Network® is taking to shape the future of the funeral profession. He is proud to be a Life Story Funeral Director® and to work for RDMG. Life Story Network® will only enhance Joe's abilities and talents to help change the outlook and future of funeral service, one family at a time.
During college, Joe landed employment at a funeral home and earned his cub-undertaking badge from a very caring and patient man who had schooled many young people over the years in the art of small town funeral directing. He eventually earned a Bachelor's degree from the Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science. While living in Cincinnati, Joe met the future Mrs. Buysse. She was young, artistic and had the looks of the "little red headed girl" from the comic strip Peanuts. He eventually won her heart over and swept her off her feet to a storybook wedding on July 2, 1988.
Joe and his wife have lived in St. Bernard, Ohio, Columbiaville and Lapeer, Michigan and since 1997 in Portage, Michigan with their son Adam. Their family also includes Adam's guinea pig Fudge, their dog Trixie, and billions and billions of dust particles and other things growing in and around the refrigerator. They are expecting a second child sometime between the months of October and January. Because of the long and sometimes "non traditional" hours required by funeral service, much of Joe's free time is dedicated to being at home with his family.
Joe believes in giving back to the community in which he lives and that is one of the reasons he belongs to the Kalamazoo Sunrise Kiwanis. He is also a member of Chapel Hill United Methodist Church, Kalamazoo Toastmasters #1270, and he is a regular volunteer at Haverhill Elementary School in Portage.
Joe has worked for Rupert, Durham, Marshall & Gren since 1999 and has developed many new skills over the years he has been there. Life Story Funeral Homes® has given him the opportunity, or permission, to serve families in a creative way that makes the funeral experience more meaningful and helpful to individuals and the communities in which he serves.
One of the best parts of Joe's job is inspiring people to take control of the funeral of their loved ones and making it personable and meaningful to them. If he fails in this task, all of the wonderful things that Life Story Network® provides would not have the same impact. Being a funeral director is a sacred job and Joe takes all of his responsibilities with utmost importance. He is very passionate about funeral service and has great enthusiasm for the path that Life Story Network® is taking to shape the future of the funeral profession. He is proud to be a Life Story Funeral Director® and to work for RDMG. Life Story Network® will only enhance Joe's abilities and talents to help change the outlook and future of funeral service, one family at a time.
