Joseph Stephen Bush

July 27, 1938 - February 25, 2021

Joseph Stephen Bush LOUISVILLE - Joe Bush, 82, passed away on February 25, 2021 with a longing for eternity, where he could forevermore hold the hand of his daughter Betsy and dance with her before the Lord, in thanksgiving for all the gifts he received and the time to enjoy them. As owner/operator of Joe & Mike’s Pretty Good Tours, he enjoyed giving local tours and telling stories of the city he was proud to call home. During his career, he also worked for Shockey Tours, Spalding University and the Falls City Brewing Company. He was a member of St. Martha Church for 53 years where he served two terms on the Parish Council, was a religious education teacher, and sang in the choir. He loved to sing and also spent time in the Kentucky Opera Chorus (11 yrs), Holy Name Choral Club, The Carousels (18 yrs), and the St. Martin of Tours Choir (6 yrs). He was a graduate of Flaget High School, St. Thomas Seminary & Bellarmine University, where he was a board member of the Veritas Society. He was a proud peace-time veteran of the United States Army. He is preceded in death by his daughter, Elizabeth Ann “Betsy” Bush; and a sister, Ruth Kehl. He is survived by his wife of 55 years Gloria (Kulp) Bush; children, Gretchen Bush (Mark Rosenthal), Laura Bowman (John); Stephen Bush (Katie), Danny Bush (Kristina); grandchildren, Matthew Bowman (Amber), Kelcie & Mallory Bowman, Annie, Michael, Wyatt, Samuel and Seth Bush; sisters, Mary Bush Gatton and Pat Bush; brothers, Bob Bush (Linda), Mike Bush, and John Bush (Joanna); and a gaggle of nieces & nephews, in-laws & outlaws, he loved dearly. Visitation will be held Monday, March 1 from 2 – 8 pm at Ratterman & Sons Funeral Home 3800 Bardstown Rd. Funeral services will be held Tuesday, March 2 at 10 am at St. Martha Church with burial to follow. In these unprecedented times, the family asks that you maintain a safe social distance per CDC guidelines. A celebration of Joe’s life will be planned for a future, safer date.