CHURUBUSCO - Gerald L. Bucher, 86, formerly of rural Churubusco and Silver Lake, died at 10:01 p.m. July 26, 2008, in Heritage Park, Fort Wayne. Although he had been in declining health for some time, he had only been seriously ill for the past two weeks.
He was born Nov. 21, 1921, in Silver Lake, to Harmon O. and Ethel F. Landis Bucher. He married Georgianna Tibbitts, who died in 1968. On Nov. 8, 1969, he married Mary M. Wilson Silverest, who survives in Fort Wayne.
He was a Burket High School graduate and a World War II U.S. Army veteran. While living in the Akron area, he was a farmer and a truck driver for Sunoco Oil Co. In 1963, he moved to Churubusco and to Fort Wayne in 2004. He was a truck driver for Gladieux Oil Refinery, Fort Wayne, and retired from Essex, Fort Wayne, after 18 years. He was a member of Ari Church of God, Churubusco; Silver Creek Church of God, Silver Lake; and the Teamster's Union. He was past commander of Huntertown Veteran's of Foreign Wars.
Also surviving are three sons: Roger (and spouse Lynn) Bucher, Fort Wayne; Gary (and spouse Sue) Bucher, Auburn; and Dennis (and spouse Kim) Bucher, Churubusco; seven stepchildren: Marsha (and spouse Jerry) Austermann, Lake Orion, Mich.; Carolyn Jo Silverest and Thomas C. (and spouse Joyce) Silverest, all of Fort Wayne; Charles (and spouse Stella) Silverest, Forsyth, Mo.; Richard C. (and spouse Shelby) Silverest, Coats, N.C.; Jack L. (and spouse Deborah) Silverest, Troy, Ill.; and Curtis R. Silverest, Auburn; a sister, Donna Belle (and spouse Richard) French, Akron; 37 grandchildren; and 53-great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by three brothers, a sister and three stepdaughters.
Services will be at 11 a.m. Thursday at Silver Creek Church of God, Silver Lake, with pastors Carroll McNutt and Thomas Craig officiating. Burial and military rites will be in Silver Creek Church of God Cemetery.
Calling is from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Sheets & Childs Funeral Home, Churubusco, and one hour prior to the service Thursday at the church.
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Memorials to Ari Church of God or Huntertown Veteran's of Foreign Wars.
Condolences may be sent to www.sheetsandchilds.net
