Nicholas "Buster" Raymond Bridges Jr.

He was born on August 23, 1974 to Nicholas Bridges, Sr. and Nancy Modlin in Peoria, IL.

He worked at Kroger in Bartonville as a 3rd Shift Stocker for about 30 years.

Buster was a member of the Elite Seekers of the Unknown (ESU) Paranormal Investigators. He was on an episode of Ghost Hunters that aired on January 30, 2013 where they investigated the Peoria State Hospital, which he passionately volunteered for.

He was an avid fan of the St. Louis Cardinals and the Detroit Lions. He also loved watching Dale Earnhardt and Dale Earnhardt, Jr. when they raced in Nascar. He enjoyed all genres of music and went to many concerts. Buster was a friend to all and didn't know a stranger. He was always the first to show up to any family function.

Buster is survived by his siblings, Katie (Michael) Mueller, Kristen (Brandon) Clauson, Craig (Tammy) Farrar, and Jennifer (Jerry) Gater; his grandmother, Betty Bridges; his nieces and nephews, Kylee (Nick) Schmidgall, Koda Clauson, Milo Mueller, Leo Mueller, Rachel (Bill) Hibbs, Stephanie Farrar, and Rebecca (Jordan) McCance; his great nieces, Sadie Hibbs, Hazel Schmidgall, and Haven Schmidgall; his great nephews, Jaxson Hibbs, Hardin Schmidgall, and Clayton McCance; his aunts and uncles, Jane (Ron) Strawser, Barb (Rich) Gillespie, same as an aunt, Rhonda Welsh, Terry (Debbie) Mills, Debbie Lynne (David) Rogers, Christopher Mills, and Christopher (Lena) Bridges; and many extended family members.

He is preceded by his parents; his sister, Kendra Bridges; his step mother, Sandra Bridges; and his grandparents, Alice and Harold Darby, Jack and Colleen Modlin, Raymond Bridges, Gene Zerwick, and Mary Jo and John Mills.

A Funeral Service in honor of Buster will be held on Friday, September 25, 2026 at 3:00 pm at Davison-Fulton Bartonville Chapel. A Visitation will be 2 hours prior from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm. Committal will take place after services at Smithville Cemetery.

Memorial contributions can be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

Memories and condolences can be shared at Davison-FultonBartonville.com.