Gene O. “Buck” Buchanan, 82, Walworth, died Jan. 14 at Golden Years of Walworth after a long struggle with complications from multiple myeloma. He was born Feb. 11, 1930 in Elkhorn to the late Timothy J. and Florence (Wiedemer) Buchanan. He was the eldest of four children. 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, where he was stationed in the U. S. Army. He later served 11 months in Korea during the Korean War.
B.R. Amon and Sons, Elkhorn employed him, for 43 years. He started 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 extensive. 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, being a member of several local Wisconsin and Illinois chapters and serving on the national board of directors as a regional vice-president.
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 the Community Church of Elkhorn. He was also a member of the Ingalls-Koeppen American Legion Post #102 and served as part of the funeral Honor Guard for many years.
He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Louise; sons, Steven (Helen) of Walworth and Thomas (Terrie) B of Melbourne, Fla.; daughter, Cynthia (Daryl) Claassen of Whitewater, Kan.; 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; great-grandchildren: Lily, Ruby, Florence, Savannah, Tanner, and Leita; sister, Arlene Clausen of Burlington; brother, Ray (Nancy) of Melbourne, Fla. and nieces and nephews. His brother, Chadd, further preceded him in death.
Funeral services were Jan. 19 at the Community Church of Elkhorn. The Rev. Robert Peiffer officiated. Private interment at North Sharon Cemetery will follow at a later date.
In lieu of other expressions of sympathy, the family requests memorials are 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.
Toynton Walworth Funeral Home assisted the family.
