SYRACUSE - Ray Buhrt, 88, died at 6:25 a.m. Sept. 15, 2009, in Miller's Merry Manor, Syracuse.
He was born Nov. 19, 1920, to Paul and Ida Mae Mock Buhrt. On Nov. 12, 1944, in Warsaw, he married Leona Zimmer, who survives.
He served in the U.S. Army during World War II and was stationed in the Aleutian Islands. He and his wife owned and operated Buhrt Builders for 39 years. He was a longtime member of Calvary United Methodist Church and American Legion Post 223, both in Syracuse. He was a former member of Syracuse Lions Club and Masonic Lodge. He enjoyed working with his hands and his attention to detail and quality is well known in the Syracuse area. Living on the lake, he enjoyed fishing and he always had a bountiful garden. Many family members learned to drive boats, water ski and sail under his watchful eye. Golfing and billiards were other pastimes he enjoyed with family and friends.
Also surviving are three children: Dennis (and spouse Jan) Buhrt, Warsaw; Joan Currier, Chapel Hill, N.C.; and Michael (and spouse Sandee) Buhrt, Milford; eight grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and siblings: John Buhrt, Warsaw; Robert Buhrt, Florence Nemeth and Mabel Waldbesser, all of Milford; and Violet Lutes, Nappanee. He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Lewis Buhrt.
Services will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at Mishler-Eastlund Funeral Home, Harris Chapel, Syracuse, with Pastor David Herr officiating. Burial will be in Mount Pleasant Cemetery, Milford, with military honors by members of the Syracuse American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars.
Calling is from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at the funeral home.
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Memorials to Kosciusko Home Care & Hospice or Calvary United Methodist Church.
Condolences may be sent to www.mishlerfuneralhomes.com
