William N. Bunselmeyer Memorial

William Norman Bunselmeyer, known as Bill to friends and family, passed away peacefully at the age of 84 on December 13, 2010. Bill was born in Allenton, Missouri to Henry and Edna Bunselmeyer on August 4, 1926.

Henry was employed with the Frisco railroad and Bill spent his youth living in several Missouri towns finally settling in Marshfield where Bill attended high school. It was in Marshfield that Bill met the love of his life, Mary Ellen Francis. After enlisting in the Army during WWII and spending the end of the war on the rail lines in France, Bill returned to Marshfield to marry his sweetheart and begin his life with Mary.

Bill and Mary had three children, Karen, Karl and John, who all continue to live and work in Springfield. Bill’s life was his work and his family. He was a wholesaler all of his adult life and in 1983 purchased Hoffman Supply Company, where he had worked since he left the Army in 1946.

Under Bill’s direction this single automotive wholesale store grew into a refrigeration wholesale company with eight locations and is being run by the second and third generations of the family. Bill’s hobby was his business. He continued to go to work everyday until he was 82 years old, but his true passion was his family. From the Sunday dinners to family vacations and working side by side everyday with his children, family was always foremost in his mind.

He took great pride in his grandchildren and their accomplishments, driving all over the state for high school basketball and baseball games and attended countless school plays and music performances. He had a brilliant mind and a heart of gold with a soft spot for children. The fiery temper that he inherited from his father didn’t mellow until his later years, but by then we all knew what was underneath. Bill was a member of University Heights Baptist Church since moving to Springfield in the 1940’s and served as a Deacon of the church.

Bill was preceded in death by both of his parents and by a sister, Jean. He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Mary, of the home. He is also survived by his children, Karen Garwitz and husband Gary, Karl Bunselmeyer and wife Joye, John Bunselmeyer and wife Barbara, all of Springfield. Also surviving are seven grandchildren; Ben Garwitz and his wife Kim, Andy Garwitz and his wife Eva, Amy, Joshua, Caleb, Ryan and Emma Bunselmeyer. Also surviving is his brother Robert Bunselmeyer and his wife Sara of Denton, Texas.

Visitation will be held Friday, December 17, 2010 from 6 to 8 p.m. in the funeral home. A private service will be held on Saturday with burial to follow under the direction of Gorman-Scharpf Brentwood Chapel. Bill’s final resting place will be in Eastlawn Cemetery which is one mile from his beloved company where his family still works. He will still be watching over us and guiding our business decisions.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the University Heights Baptist Church building fund. The family would like to thank the staff of Quail Creek for their loving care and attention, Dr. Fernando Cavero for his time and patience and Dr. Dominic Meldi for his friendship and years of service.