Harold Eugene Buller

Harold Eugene Buller was born on June 2, 1949 in Reedley, California to Sam and Helen Buller, and went home to our Lord and Savior on Thanksgiving Day, November 27, 2025. Harold was the youngest of four children (Wilma, Leroy and Reinhold), and grew up on the family farm in Dinuba, California. Harold attended Immanuel High School, where he was a standout basketball player and excelled in the school choir. After graduating from Immanuel, Harold attended and played basketball for Reedley College. He earned a full college scholarship to play basketball for Tabor College in Hillsboro, Kansas, where he completed his post-secondary education and graduated with his Bachelor of Arts degree.

After his time at Tabor College, Harold returned to Reedley. Shortly after, he met his future wife, Joan Conner. They were married on August 23, 1975 and set up their home in Orange Cove, California. They welcomed both of their children, Isaac (1976) and Bethany (1979), and built their family home in Orange Cove near Joan’s parents soon thereafter. Harold worked for Sequoia Forest Industries until their closure in 2000, and then worked as a Forklift Driver until his retirement. Never one to shy away from hard work, Harold found joy working in his garden and caring for his father-in-law’s yard. He would gladly get out his chainsaw to cut firewood for his family, friends, and neighbors.

Harold loved sports. An avid Pittsburgh Steelers and golf fan, most weekends he could be found watching his teams play. He never missed any of the basketball, volleyball, football, soccer, softball, track and field, tennis or any other sporting events and activities in which his children competed, cheering (or harassing the refs) loudly, whether proficient in the rules of the event or not! This tradition continued after Isaac married his wife, Christine, and they welcomed their two children, Mia and Liam. Poppy never missed an event and absolutely loved spending time with his grandchildren, watching them grow and compete in swimming, water polo, and basketball.

Harold was truly devoted to his family and loved spending time with all of them, including frequent family dinners at Isaac and Christine’s home. Harold could tell you every cousin’s, niece’s, nephew’s or extended family’s birthday by heart, and looked forward to the yearly Buller Family Reunions. He especially loved family camping trips at Hume Lake and Grant Grove, family reunions at Christmas time, and any other chance we had to be together. You could find him, his family and friends, most Friday evenings enjoying pizza or a meal out, and then around the table playing a rousing game of dominoes.

He grew up as a member of the Reedley Mennonite Brethren Church, and developed a lifelong love of music there by spending Sundays singing in the choir, or performing solos. His voice was deep, resonating, and a gift to all blessed to hear him. He loved the classics and would often serenade his wife and children with Nat King Cole, Sinatra, Johnny Mathis and other greats. Christmas was always a special time of year, as he would practice for the candlelight Christmas Eve service loudly and often (and frequently while showering because “the acoustics are best in the bathroom!”).

Harold was a loving son, brother, husband, father, grandfather and friend. He is survived by his beloved wife of 50 years, Joan, son Isaac, daughter Bethany, daughter-in-law Christine, granddaughter Mia, and grandson Liam; as well as his sister Wilma Hagen, brother Reinhold and wife Donna Buller, and countless cousins, nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Sam and Helen Buller, and brother Leroy Buller. It is with thankful hearts and joy that we know Dad’s long battle with Parkinson’s is now over and won, and that he celebrated his Thanksgiving this year with his parents, brother and other loved ones that passed before him in his heavenly home.

We would like to express our profound gratitude to Samantha Villareal, who was Dad’s Home-Health Caregiver for the last few years of his life. Dad looked forward to her visits, which were filled with laughter, music and joy! We would also like to thank the Kingsburg Center for their loving care of Harold in the last year of his life.

The immediate family will be celebrating Harold’s life in a private ceremony, but would appreciate the continued sharing of fond memories, stories, and pictures to Joan, Bethany, Isaac, Christine, Mia, and Liam.

“Return to your rest, O my soul, for the Lord has dealt bountifully with you. For you have delivered my life from death, my eyes from tears, and my feet from stumbling and falling. I will walk before the Lord in the land of the living…Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints – His loving ones. O Lord, truly I am Your servant; I am your servant, the son of Your handmaid; You have loosened my bonds. I will offer to You the sacrifice of thanksgiving, and will call on the name of the Lord.” Psalms 116: 8-9, 15-17