Gerald J Van Buren

Gerald J. Van Buren, 79, of Bremen, Ohio, passed away peacefully at Pickering House, Lancaster, Ohio, on May 20, 2026. He was born to Vincent and Anna (Niggemeyer) Van Buren at their house in Bremen. In 1969, he married Judith H. Highley, and they would be married for 57 years until his death. Gerald and Judie were the proud parents of Brooke Conrad and Matthew Van Buren and their spouses, Cole Conrad and Kelly Van Buren. Their children gave them the greatest gifts of all, their grandchildren, Spencer Conrad, Reagan Conrad, Cameron Van Buren, and Noelle Van Buren. The favorite and most precious moments they had were attending whatever events or sports their children and grandchildren were involved in. "Pap" was always there cheering them on no matter what the kids and grandkids were doing.

He graduated from Fairfield Union High School in 1965. He joined the U. S. Army in March of 1966 and served until February 1969. Fifteen months of that service was spent at Camp Baker, South Korea. Upon returning home, he worked with his dad and brother-in-law at the Bremen Mill & Lumber Company. Upon closure of the Mill, he spent 19 years at Lowes. He was an accomplished carpenter and built many homes and helped friends and family with whatever building or remodeling project they needed help with. His happiest times were on his tractor, in his garden, building things, and the times spent with his children and grandchildren. Gerald was a devout Catholic and member of St. Mary's Basilica in Lancaster.

Gerald was preceded in death by his parents; his mother and father-in-law, Buford and Virginia Highley; his sister and brother-in-law, Norma and Dave Stretton; his brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Charles and Patricia Highley. He leaves behind his wife, Judie; his children and grandchildren; his sisters, Marcella Ebbrecht of Arizona  and Beatrice Heft of Bellefontaine; sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Barb and Danny Moyer of Bremen; many nieces and nephews, cousins, and friends. 

Services will be handled by Morgan Funeral Home, Bremen and Mass of Christian Burial will be held at The Basilica of St. Mary of the Assumption, 132 S. High Street, Lancaster, Ohio, on Tuesday, May 26th at 10:30 AM. Graveside services will follow at Sacred Heart Cemetery, Bremen. Calling hours will be at the Morgan Funeral Home on Sunday, May 24th from 2 pm until 6 pm with rosary at 5:30 pm.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations in Gerald's memory to the St. Vincent DePaul Society, 424 Locust St, Lancaster, Ohio 43130 or the Pickering House, Fairhope Hospice and Palliative Care, 282 Sells Road, Lancaster, Ohio 43130.