Walter A. "Tony" Bushell

1935 - 2017

Walter A. "Tony" Bushell
PEORIA - Walter Anthony "Tony" Bushell, age 82, of Peoria, IL, passed away Tuesday, June 27, 2017, at sunset at the OSF Richard L. Owens Hospice Home.
He was born February 14, 1935, in Peoria, a son of J.W. and Louise (Herzog) Bushell. He married Sandra S. Huston on July 7, 1956, at St. Mary's Cathedral in Peoria.
Tony is survived by his wife of 60 years and eight children, Annette Schmillen (Leonard) of Peoria, Andy Bushell (Julie) of Peoria, Vivian Bannon (John) of Chicago, IL, Margo Dahmani of Chicago, IL, Peter Bushell (Colleen) of Mahomet, IL, Sarah Goldenberg (Alan) of Madison, WI, Paul Bushell (Michelle) of Lawrenceville, GA, and Vincent Bushell (Laura) of Glen Carbon IL; and two sisters, Mary Lou Bushell and Geraldine Owens. He is also survived by 19 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by three brothers, Richard, John and Robert.
He graduated from St. Mark's Catholic Grade School and Spalding Institute. He attended Notre Dame University and Bradley University. Tony pursued a career with New York Life Insurance and had a successful business of 55 years.
Living in Peoria his entire life, Tony was blessed with a rich and deep community of friends of all ages. His love of family and friends was paramount. It was through happy hours and sit-down meals that life unfolded. He was a good listener, enjoyed reading, had strong opinions and enjoyed a good debate. He was a virtuous man who loved gardening, opera, golf, Notre Dame football games and sunsets in Michigan.
Tony was active in Cursillo at its inception and also enjoyed years of liturgy planning at St. Marks. His faith was strong and provided a foundation for his moral compass, which he generously shared at times.
He is remembered as a great football kicker in his youth, a phenomenal dancer, and an exemplary father, grandfather, husband and friend. He always had a sense of humor and showed his true colors in the last weeks of his life at the hospice center. He believed there was always enough, more if we wanted it. His motto "Nothin to it" represented the ease with which he moved through life and with which he gracefully crossed over.
Visitation will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday, June 30, 2017, with a scripture service at 6:45 p.m., at St. Thomas Catholic Church in Peoria Heights. Funeral Mass begins at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, July 1, 2017, also at the church, with a half hour prior visitation. Fr. Thomas Kelly, Msgr. Jason Gray and Fr. Paul Stark, S.J., will officiate. Burial will follow at St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery in West Peoria.
Memorials in Tony's name may be made to OSF Richard L. Owens Hospice Home or Peoria Rescue Ministries.
Friends and family may sign the online guestbook or send private condolences by logging on to www.wrightandsalmon.com.