Jean Marilyn (Buske) Vasel

Jean Marilyn (Buske) Vasel, age 95, passed away peacefully on Saturday evening, October 18, 2025, at San Gabriel Memory Care in Highland, Illinois.  She was born on May 17,1930, Litchfield, Illinois, the daughter of the late Edwin Henry and Alvina Marie (Weishaupt) Buske.  She was baptized on June 8,1930, and confirmed on April 24,1943, both at Zion Lutheran Church, Mt. Olive, Illinois.

Jean graduated from Litchfield High School in 1948. While there, she participated in band, choirs, musicals, and art classes. She was a founding and lifelong member of Phi Sigma Nu sorority. After graduation, she opened and operated Jean’s Gift Shop until 1950. She married William Meadows Vasel on October 21,1950, at Zion Lutheran Church, Mt. Olive, Illinois. A dedicated homemaker, Jean was also a valuable partner in the family building business, Vasel Homes, assisting with home design and interior decorating for thirty-three years. During those years, they built over 200 homes. 

Jean also served as a Montgomery County Election Judge (1968-71), and was active in the St. Francis Hospital Auxiliary, with leadership skills in the Gift Shop.

Jean was a member of Zion Lutheran Church, Mt. Olive, and former member of Mt. Zion Lutheran Church in Litchfield. She taught Sunday School and sang in the choirs, eventually becoming the choir director at Zion for more than eight years. She also sang in the Litchfield production of “The Promise”. After her husband Bill retired, you could find them with their friends, playing golf on the various courses in the area. A lifelong reader, Jean was seldom without a good book.

In addition to her parents, Jean was preceded in death by her husband of 60 years, William “Bill” Meadows Vasel (April 6, 2011), and her brother, Richard Lee Buske (1998).

Jean is survived by three sons and three daughters-in-law, Randolph Lee Vasel (Debra) of Greenville, Illinois, Dwight David Vasel (Carol) of Ft Worth, Texas, and Mark William Vasel (Judith) of Estes Park, Colorado; nine grandchildren, Randalynn F. Vasel, Kyle W. Vasel (Melissa), Richard A. Vasel, John E. Vasel (Emily), Sally Vasel Cruz (A.J.), Emma Vasel Marquez (Chris), Katherine Vasel Hill (Brian), Amy Vasel Adams (Ben), and Meagan A. Vasel; and seventeen great grandchildren.  She is also survived by her brother, Glen Allen Buske of Nashville, Tennessee.  Jean will be remembered by her family for her love and enjoyment of her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.  In addition, her many extended family members and friends will miss her gracious hospitality and generous heart.

Visitation will be held on November 8, 2025, from 9:30 - 11:00 am, with service following at 11:00, all at Zion Lutheran, Mt. Olive. Interment will be at Elmwood Cemetery, Litchfield.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Zion Lutheran Church, 500 S. Old Rt. 66, Mt. Olive, Illinois, 62069 or Litchfield Public Library, 1205 S. State St., Litchfield, Illinois, 62056.

The family would like to thank the staff at San Gabriel Memory Care, Highland, Illinois for their exceptional care and support of Jean during these last three years.

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.