NEW PALESTINE
The man. The myth. The legend. Van Roy Bush passed away June 14, 2022. Born in Indianapolis on May 27th, 1942 to Nettie Mae (Burns) and Edgar Thomas Bush he immediately donned a baseball cap upon his curly mop of hair and began making his mark on his beloved town of New Palestine, Indiana. Graduating from New Palestine High School in 1959 he left to join the Air Force. Upon realizing that there was no greater town to call home he returned for good in 1964. The self-appointed “mayor” of New Pal never knew a stranger and if he ever happened to find one somewhere in the world then he probably knew their cousin back home. When he wasn’t selling pool water or painting houses he was coaching, umpiring, or cheering on the team in the local ball games. He loved hitting balls on the green, singing karaoke, playing trivia, dragging his friends to a new “greasy spoon diner” for lunch, Indiana High School Basketball (the only basketball worth watching), and most of all he loved his town and all of the people in it. If you didn’t catch him at one of his many jobs you could find him at the corner pub cheering on the Patriots or kicking someone out of his unofficially claimed bar stool while grumbling that there were so many other chairs for them to choose from.
Van is survived by his daughter, Krystal Emmert-Bush (Whitney) of whom he was immensely proud; brothers Carroll D. Bush of New Palestine and Ray R. Bush (Penny) of Shelbyville; Niece, Alison D. Stine (Brian Jack) of Greenfield; great nephews, Zach Barker and Hunter Stine; and great-niece, Brianna Jack. He was preceded in death by his parents; brother Harold Bush; sisters Mary, Joyce, Kaye and Doris Bush; and sister-in-law, Betty Bush.
Visitation will be held on Monday, June 27, from 12:00 PM until 2:00 PM at New Palestine High School Gymnasium, 4485 S Victory Dr., New Palestine, IN 46163. A Celebration of Life will begin at 2:00. Burial will follow at New Palestine Cemetery with full military honors presented by the United States Air Force. Arrangements are being handled by Erlewein Mortuary &Crematory in Greenfield.
As the co-founder of the New Palestine Youth Baseball and Softball League and recent recipient of the Sports Fan for Life Award at New Palestine High School Van’s family felt there was no greater way to honor him than by creating a sports scholarship in his name through New Palestine High School. In lieu of flowers, contributions for the scholarship can be sent to Van Bush Scholarship c/o Erlewein Mortuary &Crematory, 1484 W. US 40, Greenfield, IN 46140 or envelopes will be available at the school. Please also consider the needs of Van’s family by sending memorial contributions to Erlewein Mortuary 1484 W. US 40, Greenfield, IN 46140. Friends may share a memory or condolence at www.erleweinmortuary.com.
The family is forever grateful for all of the support from the friends and community that surrounded Van all his life. Never forget, always bet on the eight horse.
