SERVICES:  Sunday, July 20, 2025

Mt. Olive United Methodist Church

3:00 p.m.

INTERMENT:  Mt. Olive United Methodist Church Cemetery

VISITATION;  Sunday, July 20, 2025

Mt. Olive United Methodist Church

2:00 - 3:00 p.m.

Services for Susan Marie Bufkin, age 54, of Oshkosh, Wisconsin, will be held at 3:00 p.m., Sunday, July 20, 2025 at Mt. Olive United Methodist Church in Ovett.  Susan passed away on Friday, July 11, 2025, peacefully in her sleep. She suffered from stage 4 lung cancer and other complications.

Susan was born on August 15, 1970, in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, to parents George Bufkin and Linda White Bufkin Wildman.  She went to Westlake High School, class of 1988, where she enjoyed being a band member and cheerleader. In 1992, Susan received her B.S. degree in Political Science from Baldwin Wallace University. She was an active member of Bay Presbyterian Church. Susan worked for U.S. Customs for five years in Cleveland, OH, then obtained her Import Broker's License. She worked for a number of employers, including Honda Manufacturing in Lincoln, AL, Avery Dennison Corp. in Painesville, OH, and Mercury Marine in Fond du Lac, WI. Her colleagues remember her professionalism, quick wit, and willingness to mentor new employees.

In 1990, Susan married Phillip G. Malames of Cleveland, OH. Together they raised two children, William G. Malames of Oshkosh, WI, and Bo A. Malames (Arthur Foster) of Whitefish Bay, WI.  Her greatest joy was motherhood, and nothing pleased her more than cheering on her children's milestones. She was a kind and loving person who never spoke ill of others and always had a caring spirit. Susan treasured her friends, doted on every cat that crossed her path, and filled her home with laughter. Other than spending time with her loved ones, Susan enjoyed watching baseball, reading, and crafting.

Susan was preceded in death by her paternal grandparents, George Aven and Velma Cole Bufkin, of Bunker Hill, MS; paternal great-grandparents, George Carley and Kate Bufkin, of Bunker Hill, MS; maternal uncle, R. Steve White of Trussville, AL; maternal grandparents, Robert C. and Venita Shoemake White, of Pascagoula, MS, Trussville, AL, and Madison, AL; maternal great-grandparents, Velma Jackson White Rogers Richardson, Herschel White of Laurel, MS., and Charlie and Lettie Odom Shoemake of Whitfield Community, Ovett, MS.

Susan is survived by her children, William G. Malames and Bo A. Malames (Arthur Foster); parents George (Lucy) Bufkin and Linda White (Gary) Bufkin Wildman; siblings, Darin Bufkin (Tina) and Byron Bufkin (Elizabeth); paternal aunt, Beverly Bufkin McNeese (William Hal), of Bunker Hill, MS; maternal aunt, Linda Herraney White, of Trussville, AL; and a host of aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews, and dear friends.

"She was always her mother's baby girl…"  From an early age, Susan showed a gentle spirit, gift for friendship, and lifelong love of cats. Susan's gentle heart, steadfast faith, and boundless devotion to family and friends will be cherished forever.

Rev. Byron Bufkin will officiate the service and burial will follow in the church cemetery with a luncheon to immediately follow.  Serving as pallbearers will be Tim White, William Malames, Arthur Foster, Kenton McNeese, Brian Hasselvander, and Joseph Hasselvander.  Serving as honorary pallbearer will be Darin Bufkin

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the American Lung Association, Animal Protective League/Animal Shelter, or a charity of your choice.