Herbert L. Bush, 90

Herbert L. Bush, 90 of Gallipolis, passed away on October 17, 2014 as a result of pneumonia.

Herbert was born August 31, 1924 in Mason Co. WV, the son of the late William M. and Velma Johnson Bush. He attended Wahama High School prior to joining the U.S. Navy on May 20, 1943. He served in the South Pacific Islands on the USS Bennington as an aviation electrician’s mate, and received his honorable discharge on March 22, 1946.

He began his lifelong and highly successful career in the restaurant business on May 10, 1946, when he and Bob Evans opened the Steak House on Eastern Ave. It had 12 stools, and they cut and processed all of their own meats. They opened the first Drive In, in Gallipolis in 1947 and both expanded and grew in popularity across the states over the next several years. 1961 brought the 600th Kentucky Fried Chicken franchise to the Drive In, and it was presented to Herb and Bob by “The Colonel” Harland Sanders in person. Herb eventually became Bob Evans Farms Division Manager prior to his retirement in 1978.

He was an active supporter in many ways of the Gallipolis community. He was a member of the Gallipolis Rotary and Gallipolis Chamber of Commerce, for which he served as President from 1960 – 1961. He was also a member of the Elks, and a supporter of schools and youth activities. He was a devoted member of the Church of Christ, where he served as a Deacon.

Herb met his beloved wife, Pauline Johnson Bush, while working at the Steak House, where she was employed as a waitress. They were married October 5, 1946 in Meigs County, Ohio. She preceded him in death on August 7, 2012.

He is survived by their 3 children: James L. (Carolyn) Bush of Massillon, Ohio, Brenda Bush Shrader of Gallipolis and Tami (Dave) Bush Buckley of Bartlett, Tennessee.

He is also survived by 5 grandchildren, James (Holly) Bush II, Kelly (Mike) Hartsfield, Andrew Buckley, Chris (Sara) Buckley and Josh (Josi) Buckley; great grandchildren, Bryson and Kendall Hartsfield and Grayson and Sawyer Buckley; two brothers, Leonard and Alfred Bush; one sister, Marjorie Neal and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, William M. and Velma Johnson Bush and two brothers, William and Charles Bush.

Services will be 1:00 p.m., Monday, October 20, 2014 at Willis Funeral Home with Evangelist Tim Gainer officiating. Entombment will follow at Ohio Valley Memory Gardens, Chapel of Hope Mausoleum. Friends may call at the funeral home on Sunday, October 19, 2014 from 5-7 p.m.

Pallbearers will be Jimmy Bush, Andrew Buckley, Christopher Buckley, Josh Buckley, Steve Evans, and Jim Johnson. Honorary pallbearers will be Dwayne Jolley and Roy R. Spurling.

Please visit www.willisfuneralhome.com to send e-mail condolences.