James Bernard Buss, 83, of Greenville, IL, born July 9, 1942, in Belleville, IL, died Saturday, January 3, 2026, at his residence, after a seven-year battle with Parkinson’s disease.

Jim always had an interest in health and fitness. When he was in his teens, he subscribed to a newsletter from Steve Reeves, a bodybuilder, and started working out with weights he made from coffee cans filled with concrete thus earning him the nickname of Atlas at Assumption High School in East St. Louis. After graduating in 1960 he joined the Marines and served his country for four years. He attended El Camino College in Torrance, California and came back to Illinois to continue his education at SIU – Edwardsville, Jim was an independent insurance adjuster, and besides working for several insurance companies in Illinois, he specialized in working catastrophic storm duty in Florida, Texas and Louisiana, helping victims of major hurricanes. Jim owned and operated his own construction/roofing company for many years.

Jim always found time to attend his children’s high school and college sports and attended as many games as he could. He also enjoyed spending time with his nieces and nephews when they played sports, and later, when they coached.

After retirement, Jim loved to work on the farm raising organic produce, chickens, and beef cattle. From 2017 till 2020, Jim and Lynn spent over three months each year camping at their favorite campgrounds. Jim loved nature and the solitude of hiking. He hiked many miles on the Appalachian Trail and one of his other favorite places was Starved Rock State Park. His other hobbies included target shooting, canoeing, boating, and skiing.

Jim’s legacy of laughter, loyalty and love will be carried on by those who knew him.

James was preceded in death by his parents, Clarence J. and Bernadette C., nee Behrmann, Buss; and two brothers in infancy, Bernard and John Buss.

Surviving are his loving wife, Linda “Lynn” Buss, nee Anton, whom he married on April 22, 2005; four children, Carol (Jim) Welch, Jeffrey (Vanessa) Buss, Kevin (Jennifer) Buss, and Laura (Nick) Rommack; three stepchildren, Karen (Kris) DeLisle, Jenny (Bob) Pearman, and Stephanie (Shawn) Self; 11 grandchildren, Lindsey Welch, Cameron (Kiari) Welch, Alexis Buss, Bennett Buss, Brookelyn Buss, Landon Buss, Kristopher DeLisle, Kaleb DeLisle, Brandon Pearman, Avery Self, and Hunter Self; a great-granddaughter, Malina Aurora Welch; five siblings, Patricia A. (David) Oelrich, Kenneth L. (Joanne) Buss, Karen L. Buss, Mary Kay “Mickey” (Kenneth) Meddows, and Ronald V. (Mary) Buss; many dear nieces and nephews; one surviving aunt, Eleanor Buss; numerous cousins; and special friends, Fred and Donna Madsen, Larry and Jeannie Oestringer, and Jim McFarlane.

Memorials may be made to the Parkinson’s Foundation or to HSHS Hospice. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.rennerfh.com.

Visitation: Friends may visit from 10 a.m. to 12 noon Monday, January 12, 2026, at George Renner & Sons Funeral Home, Belleville, IL.

Funeral: Memorial services will be held at 12 noon Monday, January 12, 2026, at George Renner & Sons Funeral Home, Belleville, IL, with Deacon Douglas Boyer officiating.

Burial with military honors will be at Holy Cross Cemetery, Fairview Heights, IL, at a later date.