OBITUARY: Herbert E. “Herb” Buche Jr.

Herbert E. "Herb" Buche Jr., 79, of Eldorado, died Monday, Jan. 13, 2014, at the Memorial Hospital of Carbondale.<element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[He was born on Sept. 3, 1934, in Lowell, Ind., to the late Herbert E. Buche Sr. and Georgia (Poer) Buche. He was a graduate of Lincoln Christian College in 1958 where he worked three jobs to put himself through college. He pastored several churches including the following: Oak Grove Christian Church in Lamoine, Bell Ridge Christian Church in Paris, where he worked on different farms to supplement their income, First Christian Church of Hurst, First Christian Church of Eldorado, First Christian Church of Harrisburg, First Christian Church of McLeansboro and Dale Christian Church where he was pastor for over 25 years. He was also an elder at the Eldorado First Christian Church where he was instrumental in the construction of the three buildings that now make up the church. He was the CILA Mental Health Director at Egyptian Health Department for 18 years. He was associated with Northwestern Mutual Insurance Company and Country Companies Insurance Company. He taught Jewish history, psychology, and insurance classes at SIC. He also served on the Vienna Correctional Center Credit Union board. Throughout his life Herb touched many lives as a spiritual mentor and a friend, and he was loved by many.

On June 9, 1956, he married Shirley Smith and she survives in Eldorado. Also surviving is his daughter Michelle "Shelly" (Dennis) McAnally of Sandwich; three beloved grandchildren: Derek, Lauren, and Kaylah McAnally. Also surviving are three brothers: David (Karen) Buche of DeMotte, Ind., Phillip Dean (Connie) Buche of Portage, Ind., and Carson Buche of Florida; a sister: Wanda Florence of Crown Point, Ind., and a special uncle Elwyn Buche of Placentia, Calif.

Funeral services will be held 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 18, 2014, at the First Christian Church in Eldorado. David Buche and Dennis Robison will officiate. Burial will be in Wolf Creek Cemetery. Visitation will be held 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, Jan. 17, 2014, at the Watson Funeral Home and also at 9 a.m. Saturday until service time at the church.

Memorial contributions may be made to the First Christian Church building fund and can be left at the funeral home.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at watsonfuneralhome.net