David Jerome Buness, age 88, of Clancy passed away peacefully in the early hours of Sunday, November 23, 2025. Cremation services have been provided by Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home and a memorial service celebrating David’s life is being planned for the summer of 2026 at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church in Helena. Day, date and time will be announced when arrangements have been completed.
Please check back to this website for a reading of his full obituary to be published when it has been completed.
Service Schedule
Services are pending at this time or no services will be held. If available, please see obituary for more information.
Service Schedule
Services are pending at this time or no services will be held. If available, please see obituary for more information.
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Kim says
Aww, I had Mr Buness for a teacher. My thoughts and prayers are with all loved ones. What a kind man he was.
May you find comfort in your memories. God Bless
Richard Livesay says
Dave was a awesome neighbor an was always so kind an always helped the neighbors around the neighborhood, he will be greatly missed, my god Bless.
Debbie says
Mr. Buness was my music teacher at Radley School in East Helena. He was amazing and patient loved the kids.
I used to see him and his wife at Our Redeemers church. Always gave me a big hug. Will miss him.
Kelly Downing says
There are so many fond memories being a member of St Paul’s Methodist church choir and having Dave as our choir director and then later being in the Helena Symphony choir with him and with his wife Faye. I have lovely memories of being at their house in Clancy for recitals. Dave had a great sense of humor and the most BEAUTIFUL baritone voice. Thank you Faye! for sharing Dave with the community 🙂 There are some amazing, ‘ heavenly’ people from St. Paul’s that are greeting him at this time such as Steve and Jani Harper and their dad, Matt Dale, Polly and Bob Holmes to just name a few.
I am fortunate to have met him and to have been in that church choir family. Thank you for all of the great music Dave! and for sharing your life with us!
Teresa Mergenthaler Sturm says
Faye, Jennifer, Megan & Steven I am so sorry for the loss of your husband and father. Hold on to all tge wonderful memories you have if Dave as those can never be taken from you. Thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time. Hugs to all. Terri (Mergenthaler)Sturm
Robyn Morrison says
Dave was an extraordinary human being who brought music and creativity everywhere his life touched. He will be deeply missed.
Ted Polette says
Dear Faye, Steve, and Family,
Dave was a pillar of the community and will be very missed. He graced the students of Helena High and the members of St. Paul’s with his talent of music direction and love from his heart.
Where there is sadness, love plants a garden of memories. May Dave’s garden bloom profusely forever!
Love, hugs, and prayers to all of you.
Martin Baker says
As an exchange student from Sweden in the early 1980s, I had the great fortune of living with the Buness family in Montana. During that time, Dave became a father figure to me in every meaningful sense of the word. His kindness, generosity, and steady warmth helped shape the person I would later become. His wife, Faye, also played an essential role in that experience, welcoming me into their home with a sincerity and openness that made me feel like part of the family from the very beginning.
Music was at the heart of their lives, and I was extraordinarily fortunate to be invited into that world. Dave’s passion for choral music was remarkable. At the time, he conducted eight choirs, and I had the privilege of singing in five of them — among them the Helena Symphony Chorale and the choir at St. Paul’s Methodist Church. Those experiences, and the musical community he built around him, left a lasting imprint on me.
Faye’s contribution was equally profound. As a dedicated musical tutor, she offered private lessons in voice and piano to countless students, nurturing their talents with patience, expertise, and genuine care. Her commitment to music and to the people she taught was inspiring to witness, and it enriched my time with the family immeasurably.
Dave also gave me two gifts that have stayed with me throughout my life: a deep and enduring love for choir music, and the inspiration for my own son’s name — David — chosen in his honor. Few people leave such a lasting legacy in another person’s life.
In later years, our contact naturally became more sporadic, as life often leads us down different paths. I had always hoped to return for a visit, to express my gratitude in person and reconnect, but it was not in the cards for that to happen. I regret that deeply, and I will carry him in my heart always.
I remain profoundly grateful for the time I had with Dave and Faye, and for the love, support, and music the entire Buness family shared with me. Dave’s influence extended far beyond his home, and I feel truly privileged to have been a small part of his life.
He will be dearly missed.
Marlene Petersen says
Faye, my dear friend….
I’m so sorry to hear of Dave’s passing – he was such a gift to all kids who were blessed to have him as their choral teacher and to me as a source for new limericks! What a guy –
Twenty years ago Larry and I moved from East Helena to south-central Kentucky and I still have fond memories of the vocal lessons you, yourself, gave Centre Stage quartet for some time – Dave was still teaching then.
Sending prayers and condolences to you and your family.
You are very special, Faye.