Esten D. Fuson

Esten D. Fuson 73, of Terre Haute died early Sunday morning, August 21, 2005 in Union Hospital. He was President of Fuson Pontiac Buick Cadillac & GMC. He was born on December 29, 1931 in Terre Haute to David E. Fuson and Grace L. Bruner Fuson. His wife, Norma J. Froderman Fuson preceded him in death in 1996. Mr. Fuson is survived by three children and their spouses: Mark J. and Susan Fuson of Terre Haute, Bradley S. and Terri Fuson of Carmel, and Lynn A. and Dr. Joe Biggs of Terre Haute; 8 grandchildren: Mary Fuson, David Fuson, Grace Fuson, Bennett Fuson, Betsy Fuson, Hannah Biggs, Mattie Biggs and Seth Biggs; a brother-in-law, Carl Froderman and his wife, Wanda of Fort Smith, AR; a sister-in-law, Carolyn Fuson of Indianapolis; and several nieces and nephews. He was a 1949 graduate of Wiley High School and a 1955 graduate of Indiana State University where he earned his bachelor's degree in Liberal Arts. From 1952-1954 he served as a corporal in the United States Army during the Korean Conflict. After the war he was a salesman, general manager and secretary with Downtown Cadillac Company and also Downtown Chevrolet Sales, Inc. In 1965 he became a GM Dealer and was awarded the Cadillac franchise. As president of the new company the name was changed and became known as Esten Fuson Cadillac. Subsequently, he was awarded the Pontiac franchise in 1982; the Buick franchise in 1997 and the GMC franchise in 2003. Mr. Fuson was a member and past president of the Terre Haute New Car Dealers Association, member and past president of the Indiana Automobile Dealers Association, and a member of the National Automobile Dealers Association. In 1994 he received the Hermin R. Goodin Civic Service Award presented by the Indiana Automobile Dealers Association for outstanding civic service and in 1995 was Indiana's nominee for the Time Magazine Quality National Dealer Award. As a civic leader he was very active in the Terre Haute community especially at Union Hospital. His dedication to the hospital began in 1968 when he became a member of the Board of Directors of Union Hospital, Inc. and later served as Chairman of the Board from 1990-2004. Additionally, he served on the Union Hospital Foundation Board of Directors since 1985 where he was a former vice chairman, and in 1997 received the Union Hospital Bauer Award for outstanding volunteer service. He also served as a board member and former chairman of Clarian Health Network; and has served on the Board of Directors of Terre Haute Savings Bank; ISU Foundation; Rose Hulman Board of Associates; Greater Terre Haute Chamber of Commerce; ISU Alumni Council; United Way of the Wabash Valley; Terre Haute Family YMCA where he was a former board president; executive board of Wabash Valley Council Boy Scouts of America; member of the board of directors of the Vigo County Unit and Indiana Division of the American Cancer Society and was Secretary Treasurer of the Froderman Foundation, Inc. He was an active member of Memorial United Methodist Church; Kiwanis Club of Terre Haute, BPO Elks Lodge #86, Riley Masonic Lodge #390 F & AM, Scottish Rite Valley of Terre Haute, Delta Lambda Sigma Social Fraternity, Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity, ISU Varsity Club, Country Club of Terre Haute and Aero Club of Terre Haute. In 2004 he was a recipient of the Sagamore of the Wabash Award for his outstanding community service and for his leadership to Union Hospital. Funeral services will be conducted at 10:00 a.m. Thursday, August 25, 2005 in Memorial United Methodist Church, 2701 Poplar St. Private burial will be in Roselawn Memorial Park. Visitation is scheduled for Wednesday from 4:00-8:00 p.m. in the church. Arrangements are under the direction of Callahan & Hughes Funeral Home, 605 South 25th St. In lieu of flowers the family suggest that memorial contributions may be made to Union Hospital Foundation, 1606 North 7th St., Terre Haute, IN 47804 -or- to Memorial United Methodist Church, 2701 Poplar St., Terre Haute, IN 47803.