Nina Cecelia Van Bussum, 97, of Owensboro, peacefully passed away, surrounded by her loving family, at Hermitage Health and Rehabilitation, on June 12, 2025. She was born on August 21, 1927, to the late James and Mary (Fenwick) Dant.
Nina was a lifelong, devoted Catholic serving faithfully as a Eucharistic Minister, CCD teacher and coordinator, and choir member. She also sang with the Diocesan Choir, sharing her faith through music. She was a member of Sts. Joseph and Paul Catholic Church. A proud Gold Star Mother, Nina found strength in her deep spiritual life and dedicated service to her parish community. Nina worked at General Electric and retired, in sales, from Owensboro Messenger Inquirer. Her most cherished role was that of homemaker, lovingly tending to her family and home. Nina was known for her talent in sewing and her green thumb—especially when it came to caring for her beloved roses, which she nurtured with the same devotion she gave to those around her.
Along with her parents, Nina is preceded in death by her husband of 60 years, Preston Van Bussum; her sons, James Matthew and Richard Lee Van Bussum; her sisters, Theresa Thompson, Clarise Medley, and Sylvia Tomayko, and her brother, Finis Dant.
Those left to cherish her memory include her children, Daniel (Deborah) Van Bussum, Cecilia (Bill) McCarty, and Sam (Lisa) Van Bussum, Yvonne (Danny) Wathen; her grandchildren, Dennis (Rose) Van Bussum, Jenny Phelps, Amy (Brandon) Hardy, Jeremy (Kelly) Van Bussum, Richelle (Roger) Bryant, Matthew McCarty, Nina (Justin) Wiggins, Travis (Amanda) Van Bussum, Meghan (Casey) Libs, Rebecca (Justin) Byrd, Richard (Samantha) Wathen, and Nathan Wathen; 22 great-grandchildren; 1 great-great grandchild; her sister, Daisy Gibson, and her brother-in-law, Byron Lee Van Bussum.
Services will be at 10:00 am on Monday, June 16, 2025, at Sts. Joseph and Paul Catholic Church. Burial will follow at St. Alphonsus Cemetery. Friends and family are invited to visitation on Sunday, June 15, 2025, from 3:00 pm until 7:00 pm, at Haley McGinnis Funeral Home and Crematory, and again on Monday, June 16, 2025, at Sts. Joseph and Paul Catholic Church, from 9:00 am until the time of service. Prayers will be at 6:30 pm, on June 15, 2025, at Haley McGinnis Funeral Home and Crematory.
Haley McGinnis Funeral Home & Crematory is honored and privileged to be entrusted with Nina Cecelia Van Bussum’s care. Please leave condolence messages for the family of Mrs. Van Bussum and sign their virtual guestbook at www.haleymcginnis.com.