Col. Ernest W. Buschhaus, USMC (Ret.), 95, of Houston, TX, and formerly of New Bern, NC and Norwood, OH, died April 28, 2026. Ernest was the son of the late Ernest A. and Herta Kandale Buschhaus of Cincinnati, OH, and has been reunited with Joyce, his beloved wife of 69 years.
Born on March 11, 1931 in Kokomo, IN, Ernest (“Ernie”) graduated from Miami University in Oxford, OH, and joined the United States Marine Corps where he went on to serve for 31 years as a naval aviator. He flew with the famous VMF-214 ‘Black Sheep’ early in his career, and as a staff officer he set himself apart during combat operations in Vietnam before returning to the flightline. He was stationed in numerous locations, including Virginia, Maryland, Texas, North Carolina, Hawaii, and Japan. He retired as the Chief of Staff for Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point.
Ernie and Joyce retired to New Bern, NC for 29 years where they were active members of First Presbyterian Church. He was employed at the Carolina Pines Golf and Country Club and also supervised and volunteered regularly at the Retired Services Office, Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point. He remained a committed supporter of veterans through his volunteer efforts at Eagle’s Trace, a senior living community in Houston, TX, to where Ernie and Joyce made their final move in 2013.
Ernest was preceded in death by his wife, Joyce Cundiff Buschhaus, and brother, Carl Buschhaus.
He is survived by his daughters Diana Bettinger (Jim) of Katy, TX and Kim Smith (Darrell) of Park City, UT, and his brother, Curt Buschhaus of Monroe, OH. He is also survived by grandchildren Christopher Bettinger (Rikki) of Katy, TX; Travis Smith (Miriam) of Park City, UT; Breanne Rodino (Damian) of Cary, NC; Eric Bettinger (Rayma Negrete) of Katy, TX; and Grant Bettinger (Kathleen) of Mesa, AZ; as well as six great-grandchildren, Miller and Dylan Bettinger, Keegan and Parker Smith, and Pierce and Emily Rodino. He is remembered with love.
Inurnment, with full military honors, will take place at Houston National Cemetery. Memorials in Ernest’s name may be made to The Marine Corp Heritage Foundation in Quantico, VA (Marineheritage.org), an organization Ernest and Joyce long supported.
Originally published by Schmidt Funeral Home – https://www.schmidtfuneralhome.net/obituaries/Ernest-W-Buschhaus?obId=48306349