Merlin "Duke" Busch

** A Celebration of Life for Duke will be held on April 13th from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. at the Paulding VFW, 214 N Waters St, Paulding, Ohio.** Merlin "Duke" Busch, 84, formally of Paulding, Ohio received his heavenly wings on Tuesday November 14, 2023 at 9:15pm surrounded by his loving family at home. He was born at home on July 6, 1939 in Malinta, Ohio to the late Merlin Busch and Eileen Eisaman. He graduated from Malinta High School in 1957. In 1960, he proudly enlisted in the United States Navy and served his country for 4 years. He married the love of his life and forever soulmate, Connie Sue Rohdy on June 3, 1961 in Malinta at Trinity Lutheran Church. In 1964, he received an honorable discharge from the Navy and started working at General Motors in Defiance, Ohio, as an Industrial Electrician until his retirement in 1989. He owned the Famous Busch's Bike Shop on Route 127 North of Paulding in the 1980's. For 34 years, they spent their winters in Palmetto, Florida where he enjoyed working on 3-wheel bicycles. He was well known as "The Bike Man". He was a jack of all trades and master of many. There wasn't anything that he couldn't do. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, going to the casino, playing cards with family and friends, and spending time with family and friends. Duke is survived by his loving wife, Connie; children, Bret (Theresa) Busch of Oakwood, Brenda Busch of Antwerp, and Brian Busch of Ayersville; 9 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his brother, Larry, of Toledo, Ohio. Friends and family will be received at the Rodenberger-Gray Funeral Home, Napoleon, on Sunday, November 19, 2023 from 11:00 AM until 1:30 PM. Interment will take place immediately after calling hours at Hoy Cemetery, where military honors will be accorded by the Napoleon American Legion Post 300. A Celebration of Life Service will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, please make memorials to the American Heart Association. Online messages and condolences may be shared with the family at rodenbergergray.com. We want to Thank Everheart Hospice for the loving care that he received these past few weeks. You ladies were absolutely amazing, and we couldn't have been more blessed.

Tributes

Merlin "Duke" Busch

July 6, 1939 - November 14, 2023