Thomas Ayres Buschmann

Thomas Ayres Buschmann, 73, died peacefully at home in Indianapolis, Indiana, on Monday, April 29, 2024.

Born on June 6, 1950, in Indianapolis, Indiana, to Albert Buschmann and Jane Durflinger (Shook), Tom loved growing up in Indy, swimming in Lake Maxinhall, riding his bike and hanging out at the Riviera Swim Club. He went to St. Paul’s Episcopal Church  (which Tom’s architect grandfather, Wilbur Shook, designed) and was an acolyte. He attended Merle Sidener Elementary School, Eastwood Middle School and North Central High School. From an early age, Tom had a huge heart and a great sense of humor. He always enjoyed spending time with family, friends and his many pets. He followed in his brother Bill’s footsteps, as much as he could, and he dearly loved his baby sister, Diane.

He proudly attended Indiana University, Bloomington, and graduated with a Bachelors of Science degree in Public Affairs. He served in the National Guard for six years, and it was there where he developed his love of cooking.

He married Katherine Buschmann (Whitaker) on July 19, 1975, at Second Presbyterian Church in Indianapolis, Indiana (also designed by Wilbur Shook). Tom and Katie met at Indiana University in 1970. After almost 49 years of marriage, their bond, forged through shared laughter, tears and countless cherished memories, stands as a testament to the enduring power of commitment and devotion. Tom and Katie’s daughters, Laurie and Sarah, were very dear to his heart and he was immensely proud of both of them. 

Tom’s career was in furniture and carpet cleaning. He began with Bane-Clene Systems before starting his own Buschmann Carpet Cleaning business, which he ran for many decades before retiring in 2011. He would always brag about his large thumb muscle that he would use to trigger the cleaning “wand” when cleaning carpets.  

Tom is survived by his beloved wife Katie; daughters Laura Foster and Sarah Buschmann; son-in-law Matthew Foster; grandchildren William and Jane Foster; sister Diane Hensel (Charles); nieces Rachel Whiteside and Ashley Whiteside-Kluchki (Christopher); nephews Blaine Buschmann (Katie) and Bryant Buschmann; and grand-nieces Taylor and Samantha Buschmann. Tom’s extended circle includes Doug and Kristen Bryant, Gary Whiteside and his many life-long friends and neighbors.

Tom is preceded in death by his father, Albert Buschmann, his brother, William Buschmann, and his mother, Jane Durflinger. Tom’s late father and brother died exactly four years apart on the same date of April 28 in 2002 and 2006 respectively. Tom went to heaven nearly the same day 22 years later.

Tom’s many life’s pleasures included cheering for all sports, especially IU men’s basketball, LA Dodgers, Chicago Cubs and little league baseball, bowling, the Indy 500 and Battlebots (which he loved watching with his grandchildren); playing golf, darts, pool, euchre, poker and classic board games; finishing every crossword puzzle; being an animated storyteller; blasting rock ‘n roll and old county music; playing air guitar; grilling BBQ chicken and carving all the Thanksgiving turkeys; watching copious amounts of TV, including game shows, soap operas, old sitcoms, westerns and timeless movies (It’s a Wonderful Life being his favorite). 

A celebration of life will be held at a later date this summer and family and friends will be notified. Tom was a loyal friend and had a huge generosity of spirit, so in lieu of flowers, our family has chosen two charities that represent two of Tom’s passions, animals and music. Please send memorial contributions to the Indianapolis Humane Society (www.indyhumane.org) or The Hello in There Foundation, a John Prine charity (www.thehellointherefoundation.org).