A 10-mile section of Illinois Route 49 was officially dedicated as the Roger “Buzz” Busby Memorial Highway in Brocton. State Rep. Adam Niemerg sponsored the legislation recognizing Busby’s lifetime of service.
DIETERICH - A stretch of Illinois Route 49 now bears the name of a longtime Edgar County community leader, following a dedication ceremony held Saturday morning in Brocton to honor the late Merritt Roger “Buzz” Busby. State Representative Adam Niemerg (R-Dieterich), who co-sponsored the legislation in the House, said the memorial highway recognizes Busby’s decades of service to both his country and his community. “A stretch of Illinois Route 49 now carries the name of a beloved community leader and is named the Roger ‘Buzz’ Busby Memorial Highway,” Niemerg said. “I was happy to sponsor the legislation in the Illinois House of Representatives with Rep. Chris Miller last year and am pleased to recognize a man who left an indelible mark on his community.”
The dedication, held at 10:30 a.m. at the American Legion & Auxiliary – Richard Willoughby Post 977, included remarks from Niemerg’s legislative assistant, Linda Lane, as well as tributes from retired Illinois State Police officer Terry Hackett and retired Edgar County Sheriff’s deputies David Neal and Ed Motley.
Busby, a U.S. Army veteran, spent much of his career in law enforcement and child welfare, serving as a deputy sheriff and later with the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services. He was deeply involved in civic organizations across the region, earning him the nickname “Mr. Edgar County.”
The memorial highway stretches 10 miles from U.S. Route 36 to Illinois Route 133 along the west side of Brocton, reflecting Busby’s lifelong commitment to the people of Edgar County.
Born Oct. 21, 1940, in Danville to Edwin and Nora Busby, Buzz Busby married Karon Platson Cornwell on Oct. 31, 1992, at the Brocton Christian Church. He passed away Aug. 30, 2013, at his home.
The full text of Senate Joint Resolution 17, which established the Roger “Buzz” Busby Memorial Highway, is available here.
In a month marked by remembrance and gratitude, we revisit stories that defined our region — local sports state championship runs, celebrating Thanksgiving, and spotlighting moments of unity, resilience, and spirited debate.
From local news, features, and community events to politics, and Opinion-Editorial viewpoints, discover archived posts published on November 10 in previous years, offering a rich tapestry of life in Champaign County and the broader community, curated by The Sentinel. Here are the headlines from local news, sports, community events, and editorial viewpoints in and around Champaign-Urbana.
