Gene O. "Buck" Buchanan, Walworth, WI  (1930 - 2013)

February 11, 1930 - January 14, 2013
Gene O. "Buck" Buchanan, 82, Walworth, died Monday, Jan. 14, 2013, at Golden Years of Walworth, after a long struggle with complications from multiple myeloma. He was born Feb. 11, 1930, in Elkhorn, WI, the eldest of four children of Timothy J. and Florence (Wiedemer) Buchanan. He lived in rural Walworth his entire life. He attended the North Walworth and Brick Schools, and was a member of the Walworth High School class of 1948. He married Louise Mann on July 7, 1951, in Atlanta, GA, where he was stationed in the Army. He later served 11 months in Korea during the Korean War.
Buck was employed by B.R. Amon and Sons, Elkhorn, for 43 years, starting as a dump truck driver and finishing his career as dispatcher and head of maintenance. His knowledge and expertise in auto, truck and heavy equipment mechanics was encyclopedic. In the early 1970's, he began his hobby of restoring old cars, later shifting emphasis to old truck restorations, including some very rare models. Few things gave him greater pleasure than bringing an old truck engine back to life. In retirement, Buck became very active in the American Truck Historical Society (ATHS), being a member of several local Wisconsin and Illinois chapters, serving on the national board of directors as a regional vice-president or member-at-large for many years, and authoring several articles in their national publication. Buck had a great heart for Christian Missions, and in retirement was able to use his mechanical skills in mission projects for JAARS, the technical support arm of Wycliffe Bible Translators, and for other mission agencies. He was a long-time member of Grace Evangelical Free Church, Walworth, where he served on the board of trustees for many years. In recent years, he attended Community Church of Elkhorn. Gene was also a member of the Ingalls-Koeppen American Legion Post #102 and served as part of the funeral Honor Guard for many years.
Buck is survived by his wife of 61 years, Louise; two sons, Steven (Helen) Buchanan of Walworth, and Thomas (Terrie) Buchanan of Melbourne, FL; a daughter, Cynthia (Daryl) Claassen of Whitewater, KS; eight grandchildren: Dr. Michael (Elizabeth) Claassen, Dr. Jonathan (Dr. Stephanie) Claassen, Maria (Steven) Ralston, Timothy (Lisa) Claassen, Jessica (Carl) Seiger, Erin (Tim) Holley, Megan McCurry, and Charles McCurry; six great-grandchildren: Lily, Ruby, Florence, Savannah, Tanner, and Leita; a sister, Arlene Clausen of Burlington, WI; a brother, Ray (Nancy) Buchanan of Melbourne, FL; nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Chadd.
Visitation will be from 4 until 8 p.m. Friday, Jan. 18, 2013, at TOYNTON WALWORTH FUNERAL HOME. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 19, 2013, at COMMUNITY CHURCH OF ELKHORN, the Rev. Robert Peiffer officiating, with visitation one hour prior to the service. Private interment at North Sharon Cemetery will follow at a later date.
In lieu of other expressions of sympathy, the family requests memorials be made to JAARS (P.O. Box 248, Waxhaw, NC 28173) or the American Truck Historical Society (1038 N. Ambassador Drive, Suite 101, Kansas City, MO 64153).
The family was assisted by TOYNTON WALWORTH FUNERAL HOME.