Gheorghe Budaru, 79, died Thursday, May 1, 2025 with his family by his side.

Gheorghe was born June 21, 1945 in Ciutelec, Romania to Gheorghe and Floare Budaru. Gheorghe was the youngest of three children, with two older sisters Lenuta (deceased) and Doina.

Gheorghe was in the Romanian military for 3 ½ years. After the military, Gheorghe married and had one daughter; Luminita.

In 1969, Gheorghe gave his life to the Lord and ever since then he has diligently and earnestly followed Christ until his final breath.

Soon after becoming a Christian, Gheorghe married Florica Budaru on August 8, 1973. They have been married for 51 years. Gheorghe was blessed with four more daughters: Daniela, Ancuta, Lavinia, and Ligia.

Gheorghe devoted his life to following God even during times of religious persecution under communist rule. Gheorghe smuggled Russian-language Bibles into Ukraine, an act that led to his arrest and brief imprisonment. Following his release, he chose to leave Romania in 1985 with his family in search of religious freedom, eventually settling in the United States, where he continued to live out his faith.

When he moved to America, he continued driving semi-trucks and spreading the gospel to everyone he met.

Gheorghe is survived by his loving wife Florica Budaru; children, Luminita (the late Virgil) Popa, Daniela (Marcel) Pusta, Ancuta (Danny) Jurca, Lavinia Guseth, Ligia (Allen) Pop; seventeen grandchildren, Alin Popa, Alina Popa, Justin Pusta, Briana Pusta, Natalie (Nathan) Antonescu, Jacob Pusta, Olivia Pusta, Sara (Daniel) Gherasim, Loren (Raul) Ghib, Alex Jurca, Sophia Guseth, Adam Guseth, Abby Pop, Jonah Pop, Gabriel Pop, Elijah Pop, and Selah Pop; and his sister Doina.

Gheorghe will be remembered for his devotion to God, his giving heart, and his love for his family.

Viewing service will be held Monday, May 5, at 6:30 p.m. at First Romanian Pentecostal Church (18501 Middlebelt Rd. Romulus, MI 48174).

Funeral Services held Tuesday, May 6, at 11 a.m. at First Romanian Pentecostal Church. Burial to follow at Highland Cemetery (943 N River St. Ypsilanti, MI 48198).