MITCHELL Kenneth E. Buher, 80, life long farmer of Lawrence County, passed away at 4:30 a.m. Sunday, January 10, 2010, at his residence. His wife, Joan Smith Buher of 63 years survives.
Born August 21, 1929, in Bedford, Kenny graduated from Bedford High School and joined the U. S. Army during the Korean Conflict and was honorably discharged in 1947.
He was a member of the First Christian Church in Mitchell and Bedford, 50 year member of the Mitchell Masonic Lodge No. 228 F&AM, 32nd degree Mason of Scottish Rite Valley of Indianapolis, Murat Shrine of Indianapolis, charter member of Barrow, Alaska Masonic Lodge, life member of American Legion Post No. 250, and IUOE No. 302 of Alaska and Washington.
His working career included signal maintainer for the Monon Railroad, Bedford C&B Electric, overhead crane operator for Rowe and Engles Limestone Co., and Central Foundry, school bus owner/operator for Mitchell Community Schools, bus delivery driver for Carpenter Body Works, Inc., driver/heavy equipment operator for Hall Trucking of Orleans, mail carrier for USPS of Mitchell, and manager/dispatcher of Mitchell Transport, Inc. of Mitchell and Anderson.
His working career continued in Alaska as a commercial fisherman on the Alaska King, gold miner of Alaska Goldmine Co., superintendent for Municipality of Anchorage Street Department, part owner of Alaska Seamless Flooring for the commercial industry, and retired as a heavy equipment operator of Veco, Inc., working in the oilfields on the North Slope of Prudhoe Bay, Alaska.
He enjoyed his travels to Alaska, Canada, Hawaii, Mexico, and various other destinations with his family, with numerous road trips, cruises, and airplane and helicopter flights piloted by his two sons, Phil and Ned.
Kenny and Joan lived several years in Alaska and were snowbirds of Arizona. He possessed a special charisma and enjoyed humoring friends and drinking coffee at all the local coffee shops. He always greeted and will be remembered for his very firm handshake, smile, fairness, and honesty.
He attained movie star status when he was cast as a lead roll in the Encyclopedia Britannica filming of the “Settlement of the Midwest Territory,” “Mississippi Valley,” and “Frontier Boy” in 1961, filmed on the Buher’s Farm and Spring Mill State Park.
Kenny and Joan consider among their life blessings their four children:
sons,
Thomas E. Buher and his wife, Ruth Ann, of Crown Point, IN
Philip W. Buher of Mitchell, IN
Ned K. Buher and his wife, Kim, of Chandler, AZ
daughter,
Patrice J. Buher of Scottsdale, AZ and Anchorage, AK
They have eight grandchildren and four great grandchildren.
He was preceded in passing by his parents, and son, Ned K. Buher.
Funeral service with Masonic Rites will be conducted at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, January 14, with Jim Buher and Bill Buher officiating.
Graveside service will be at 10:00 a.m. Friday, January 15, in Mitchell Cemetery with military honors accorded by Cecil C. Martin American Legion Post No. 250 and Marvin R. Davis Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 9107.
Friends may call from 4:00 p.m. until the time of service at Chastain Funeral Home in Mitchell.