Retired U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Richard Bushong, 95, of Swansea, born September 21, 1919, in Brooklyn, NY, died Monday, December 29, 2014 in Belleville.

Mr. Bushong worked for the Disaster Preparedness office for the United States Air Force.  He was a member of St. Teresa Catholic Church in Belleville.

Richard was preceded in death by his wife of 53 years, Dorothy B., nee Goss, Bushong, whom he married on Oct. 26, 1957, and who died on Sept. 26, 2011; his parents, Stuart Franklin and Margaret Mary, nee Roberts, Bushong; two brothers, Albert John (Dorothy) Bushong and John Charles Bushong; and five sisters, Margaret Theresa Bushong, Mary Louise Bushong, Alice Joan (Jerskey) Bushong, Martha Stuart (Brogley) Bushong, and Ann Elizabeth Bushong.

Surviving are one son, Steven (Teresa) Bushong of Waterloo; four grandchildren, Ashley, Bridget, Justin and Jacqueline Bushong; and one brother, Stuart A. (Dory) Bushong of Sierra Vista, Ariz.

Visitation took place Jan. 2 and 3 at George Renner & Sons Funeral Home in Belleville.

A funeral Mass of Christian Burial took place Jan. 3 at St. Teresa’s Catholic Church in Belleville.

Interment with military honors will follow at Green Mount Catholic Cemetery in Belleville.

Memorials may be made to Catholic Charities of Southern Illinois in Belleville.

Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.rennerfh.com.