Oak Lawn Unveils Street Sign Honoring Joan and Jim Buschbach

OAK LAWN, IL — As their insurance company on the corner of 95th Street and Parkside grew more successful, Jim and Joan Buschbach could have chosen to move Burr Ridge of Oak Brook. Instead, they choose to stay in Oak Lawn where they raised a family, built a thriving business, and invested their time and treasure into the community.

On Wednesday, village and park officials, and dignitaries from Advocate Christ Medical Center and Advocate Children’s gathered at the corner of 98th Street and Brandt Avenue to unveil an honorary street sign — Joan and Jim Buschbach Way.

Jim and Joan were both to busy to retire. Jim passed away on Feb. 3 at age 89. Joan, 86, continue to go to work at her travel agency World Travel Mart.

“The image these two have had on the village is huge,” Mayor Sandra Bury said. “They don’t view their job as a job, it’s a vocation. That means when not working, you’re working. You’re thinking of ways to make the community better and stronger.”

For over 60 years, the family-owned Buschbach Insurance Agency has been a force in Oak Lawn’s business community. If you attended enjoyed a visit to the children's museum, attended a festival or leafed through an ad book for your school, the Buschbach name was attached to it.

The couple served on the boards of many organizations and in elected capacities. Both did stints as president of the Oak Lawn Chamber of Commerce. Joan has served as an elected trustee of the Oak Lawn Public Library board for over 30 years, eight times as its president. In 2019, at the age of 86, Jim decided to run for the Oak Lawn Park District Board of Commissioners -- and won.

For many years, Jim served on the Advocate Christ Medical Center Governing Council, and was the founder and chairman of the development committee for Advocate Children's Hospital (Hope) in Oak Lawn. Joan served on the Advocate Christ Medical Center auxiliary.

“Joan and Jim have been a key pillar for Advocate Christ and the children’s hospital,” said Rich Heim, president of Advocate Christ Medical Center. “They’ve given their time well over the years to not only take us from a regional hospital but to a nationally recognized facility in Oak Lawn.

As a park board commissioner, Jim was committed to his role as a commissioner and spent many hours travelling weekly to the parks. He asked the necessary questions to understand how he could fully contribute to the park district.

“He was so devoted with his constant desire to promote a sense of community he so generously served,” said Donna McCauley, executive director of the Oak Lawn Park District. “Jim was always concerned about providing recreation opportunities that enhance the quality of life and wellness for all residents,”

Surrounded by her children and grandchildren, Joan said the big reveal of the new sign was convenient for her to attend because the home she shared with her husband of 60 years was across the street.

“It’s marvelous to see all of you and thank you very much.” she said. “I guess I can understand why this is taking place right here because that’s our house over there.”