Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Spring Membership Drive


Donate now to support local news and music on WBOI

Allen County Council President Roy Buskirk Dies From Cancer

Courtesy/Dignity Memorial

Allen County Council President Roy Buskirk died Friday from liver cancer at the age of 72.

Buskirk had been a county council member for 14 years, and he was also on the county’s redevelopment commission.

When Buskirk announced in August that the cancer had spread to his bones, he said he would continue to serve Allen County as long as possible. Fellow council member Tom Harris says Buskirk was always dedicated in his job.

“Roy has been just extremely passionate about serving the people in this community, and he was determined to continue to serve,” Harris said. “He said he’d do so until he wasn’t able to come to work or be here, and he did just that. He stayed as long as he could.”

Harris says Buskirk was also dedicated to his family and friends, and was passionate about the military and veterans’ rights. His obituary says Burskirk served in Vietnam as a sergeant.

He was running for his fourth term on the Allen County Council as a Republican, at-large candidate. If he wins reelection tomorrow, Allen County Republican precinct committee members will choose his replacement.

Harris was unsure of whether there will be two replacements, one to finish Buskirk’s 2016 term and another to fill his next term, or whether one person would fill both roles. He said that would most likely be decided after the election and the funeral.

Flags at Allen County buildings will be lowered Monday in honor of Buskirk.

Related Content