Morris C. Buxton was born June 5, 1924, at the Buxton home place along State Route 250, Harrison County. His parents were Earl C. Buxton and Laura V. Fulton Buxton. He was a lifelong member of the Pleasant Valley United Methodist Church, having joined at an early age.
During WWII, he circled the globe twice, as he served his country in the Merchant Marines from 1944 to 1947. Just this month, Morris was awarded a Congressional Medal of Honor for his service during the war. For many years he and his brother Francis did extensive agricultural and dairy farming. He liked to operate all kinds of big machinery and was hired by Hanna Coal Co in 1956. He retired from Consolidated Coal Co in 1985, having worked for 29 years operating many machines, from bulldozers to shovels. Morris also served as a Stock Township Trustee for 20 years. He was a member of the Harrison County Farm Bureau, the UMWA, and Scio American Legion Post #482.
Morris married Helen Summers Buxton on June 4, 1950. He was a loving husband and father who worked hard but also took time to travel our country. He and Helen moved to Savannah, GA, from 1985 -1995; they returned to Harrison County for a few years before moving to Cape Coral, Florida, to be closer to their children. Morris died Saturday, August 20, 2022, in Coral Gables Hospital at the age of 98.
He is survived by his wife of 72 years, four daughters, Shirley (Craig) Findling of Malvern, Betty (Jeff) Rossbach of Sarasota, FL, Nancy (David) Jarrett of Cape Coral, FL and Janet (Ronald) Stringer of Jacksonville, FL; eleven grandchildren, sixteen great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Preceding him in death are a brother, a sister, four sisters-in-law, two brothers-in-law, and a niece. Services were held on August 31, 2022, in Pleasant Valley United Methodist Church, with Pastor Mark Statler officiating. Burial followed in Pleasant Valley Cemetery. The family would greatly appreciate, in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions be made to Pleasant Valley United Methodist Church, c/o Alex Cappel, 13680 Linden Rd, Tippecanoe, Ohio 44699, or the donor’s favorite charity.