Ronald "Bud" Armstrong

Ronald “Bud” Armstrong, 91 passed away Saturday, May 22, 2021 at Betz Nursing Home in Auburn. He was born July 1, 1929 in Auburn to Delvin and Delight (Baker) Armstrong. He worked many hours after school at his parents’ grocery store at Ensley and Jackson. He also helped with chores at his granddad Baker’s farm. The outbreak of WWII caused a labor shortage with so many young men joining the military. Bud became an unlicensed, 12 year old delivery truck driver in 1941 (with the approval of the Auburn Police Chief) Bud graduated from Auburn High School in 1947. He shared many good memories of three highly respected teachers over the years; athletic coach and gym teacher, Zeke Young; civics and economics teacher, Frank Weathers; and math and science teacher, Frank Schooley. Bud attended Michigan State University for two years before enlisting in the United States Air Force in 1950 after the start of the Korean War. He was fortunate to be stationed at Bolling Air Force Base in Washington, D.C. He was assigned to the Pentagon where he worked at the National Security Agency. After completing active service duty with the Air Force in 1954 he returned to Auburn. He worked briefly in his parents’ grocery store and his uncle’s construction business before taking a job with Nabisco as a sales representative in 1956. He retired from Nabisco in 1988 with 32 years of service Bud was a member of the Auburn United Methodist Church and American Legion Post 97 in Auburn. Always supportive of the military veterans, he had 65 years of continuous years of membership at post 97 and served as Post Commander in 1969. He was preceded in death by his parents, sister, Bette Altman, and his wife, Shirley, whom he was married to for nearly 65 years, beginning with their wedding on August 8, 1951 until her death on July 13, 2016. He is survived by two sons; Jeff (Shari Hook) Armstrong of Auburn, Tim Armstrong of Fort Wayne, grandson, Scott Armstrong of Auburn and several nieces and nephews. A funeral service will be held on May 26, 2021 at 2 pm at Feller and Clark Funeral Home, 1860 Center Street, Auburn with burial to follow in Woodlawn Cemetery. Visitation will be held two hours prior to the service on Wednesday from 12 to 2 at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers or decorations, contributions can be made to the DeKalb County Humane Society Building Fund, P.O. Box 806, Auburn, IN 46706. To send condolences visit www.fellerandclark.com.