Jesse "Bud" Leroy Viehman

Jesse "Bud" Leroy Viehman passed away on December 15, 2023, at Steelville Senior Living at the age of 97.

Bud was a lifelong Steelville resident and was born to the late Clarence and Carnie Viehman on September 15, 1926. He attended Steelville schools through the ninth grade and when he turned 18 joined the U.S. Navy. He served in the Pacific through the end of the World War II, spending part of his service on the escort carrier USS Cape Gloucester, and then worked in the motor pool at Pearl Harbor until he was discharged in 1946.

After returning home, Bud worked as a bus driver and for the county road department before taking a job with the Missouri Department of Transportation in 1955. He worked for MoDOT for 32 years, including 30 years as the maintenance supervisor in Steelville, before retiring in 1987.

Bud married the late Ava (Ransom) Viehman on September 11, 1948. They celebrated 62 years of marriage before her death on April 9, 2011.

Bud was an avid fisherman and took countless float trips on the Meramec River and other area streams with his brothers, children, friends, and his brother-in-law and favorite fishing partner the late Lawrence Mullen Jr. He also enjoyed gardening and maintained a big garden at his parents’ home just east of Steelville for many years. Later he grew tomatoes, some that got up to eight-feet tall, at his home in Steelville. He also enjoyed playing the harmonica and Jew’s harp.

Family trips were also important to Bud and Ava and they traveled with their children to Washington, D.C., Niagara Falls, Gettysburg, Florida, Texas, New Mexico, Arkansas, and throughout Missouri. After he retired, the couple took several bus tours, some with his brothers and their wives.

Bud volunteered countless hours to help Ava in her endeavors with Go-Getters 4-H Club and Community Betterment. He helped with beautification efforts, drove buses on 4-H trips, took 4-Hers camping, and assisted with many projects. After his retirement, he enjoyed taking his older friends to their doctor’s appointments, walking the Yadkin Creek Greenway Trail, and having breakfast and coffee nearly every morning at Country Mart.

Bud is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Kelly and Jim Hughes, of Steelville; son and daughter-in-law Rob and Caroline Viehman, of Steelville; five grandchildren, Endi and husband August Rolufs, Jordan and husband Tony Hansel, Justess Viehman, Shay Viehman, and Cameron Hughes; five great-grandchildren; brother and sister-in-law, Leslie and Dorothy Viehman, of St. Louis; sister-in-law, Ardell Viehman, of Garland, Texas; sisters-in-law, Marilyn Ransom and Elaine Ransom, of Steelville; brother-in-law, Dewayne “Murf” Ransom of Steelville; sister-in-law, Wanda Bogue and husband Bill of Cuba; brother-in-law, Steve Ransom and wife Linda of Steelville; brother-in-law, Larry Ransom of Steelville; sister-in-law, Pat Brown and husband Allen of Steelville; brother-in-law Jeff Ransom, of Potosi; brother-in law Steve Eckert, of Steelville; the staff at Country Mart; many nieces and nephews; other relatives; and many friends.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Ava Viehman; sister Irene Eaton; brother Ralph Viehman; brother and sister-in-law Richard and Marlyn Viehman; sister and brother-in-law Maxine and Lawrence Mullen Jr.; brothers-in-law Bill Ransom and James Ransom; sister-in-law Janet Eckert; and daughter-in-law Lori Viehman.

Memorial services were held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, June 7, at the Steelville Presbyterian Church with Rev. Wendy Downing and Rev. Jerry Beers officiating. Music of "Amazing Grace" was played on the harmonica by Richie Myers.

Committal prayer and inurnment were at the Steelville Cemetery with Full Military Honors by the U.S. Navy.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Steelville Food Pantry. 

The Viehman Family was served by the Britton-Bennett Funeral Home of Steelville.

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