Gerald Bucher

Gerald L. Bucher, 86, a former resident of rural Churubusco in Allen County and a native of Silver Lake, died at 10:01 p. m. on Saturday, July 26, 2008, at Heritage Park in Fort Wayne. Although he had been in declining health for some time, he had only been seriously ill for the past two weeks. Mr. Bucher was born on November 21, 1921 at Silver Lake, a son of Harmon O. and Ethel F. (Landis) Bucher, and graduated from Burket High School. As a young man he served in the U. S. Army during World War II, and was married to Georgianna Tibbitts. The couple spent the early years of their marriage in the Akron-area, where he was engaged in farming, and was a truck driver for the Sunoco Oil Company. In 1963 the couple moved to Allen County, and lived in rural Churubusco until moving into Fort Wayne in 2004. He had been employed as a truck driver for the Gladieux Oil Refinery in Fort Wayne, and retired from Essex in Fort Wayne after 18 years. He was a member of the Ari Church of God, east of Churubusco, the Silver Creek Church of God near Silver Lake and was also a member of the Teamster's Union.e From 1996 to 2000 he served as senior vice commander of Huntertown Veteran's of Foreign Wars and wase commander of the post from 2000 to 2002.e e In his leisure time he enjoyed fishing, gardening, church activities, and most especially loved and enjoyed his family. His first wife preceded him in death in 1968. On November 8, 1969 he was married to Mary M. (Wilson) Silverest. She survives in Fort Wayne. Also surviving are his three sons Roger (Lynn) Bucher of Fort Wayne, Gary (Sue) Bucher of Auburn, and Dennis (Kim) Bucher of Churubusco; seven step-children Marsha (Jerry) Austermann of Lake Orion, Mich., Carolyn Jo Silverest of Fort Wayne, Charles (Stella) Silverest of Forsyth, Mo., Richard C. (Shelby) Silverest of Coats, NC, Thomas C. (Joyce) Silverest of Fort Wayne, Jack L. (Deborah) Silverest of Troy, Ill., and Curtis R. Silverest of Auburn; a sister Donna Belle (Richard) French of Akron; 37 grandchildren and 53 great-grandchildren. In addition to his parents and first wife, he was preceded in death by three brothers Edward Bucher, Robert Bucher, and Earl Bucher; a sister Mildred Clinker; and three step-daughters Ina May Silverest, Geraldine M. Lyons, and Gloria Galante. Funeral services will be held at 11 a. m. on Thursday, July 31, at the Silver Creek Church of God near Silver Lake with Pastors Carroll McNutt and Thomas Craig, officiating. The family will receive friends at the Sheets & Childs Funeral Home in Churubusco on Wednesday from 2-4 and from 6-8 p. m., or at the church one hour prior to the service. Interment with military graveside rites will be in the church cemetery. The family requests that memorials be directed to the Ari Church of God or Huntertown Veteran's of Foreign Wars. *********************************** To leave a condolence for the family in Mr. Bucher's memory, please click on "Condolences" below. . .