Henry "Hank" Bucher

Hank proudly served in the United States Coast Guard from April, 1946 to April, 1949, and from June, 1950 to June, 1953. He completed a tour of duty in Hobe Sound, which began his dream to someday retire to Florida. He married his first wife Josephine in 1952 and together they raised a beautiful family of seven children. Looking back to raising his family, he noted that the birth of his children and camping trips across the country were among his favorite memories. Hank was married to Josephine until her passing in 1987.

In 1990, Hank married Margaret "Terry" Carleton in Cleveland, Ohio, and in 1991 they moved to Winter Haven. He kept busy with volunteer work and spending summers traveling to visit children, grandchildren, and other family members across the United States. He was actively involved with the American Legion Post 8, served as an usher at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Winter Haven, and was formerly a construction and restore volunteer and board member for Habitat for Humanity. He retired from working as a telephone engineer from Ohio Bell after 38 years.

In recent years, failing eyesight and limitations of aging limited many activities, however, he truly loved visits and phone calls, weekly attendance at Mass, and listening to books provided by the library for the blind. He frequently voiced "I have had a good life, God has blessed me."

Hank leaves behind his loving wife, Margaret "Terry" Bucher; children, Cynthia and Linda Bucher of Reno;, NV, son Brian Bucher (Beth) of Ponte Vedra Beach, FL, Bonnie Peeples of North Olmsted, OH, Joy Krause (Steve) of Taylors, SC, Janice Chapman (Scott) of Noblesville, IN, Roger Bucher (Jennifer) of Houston, TX; he was a second dad to Bernadette Bolognese of Cape Canaveral, FL, and Karen Peterkoski of Berea, OH; as well as 18 grandchildren, one great grandchild, and 18 nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his former wife, Josephine (Schmitz); and his siblings, Albert Bucher, Loretta Jones, and Rose Marie Muzic, as well as his parents.

A visitation for Hank will be held Sunday, June 11, 2023 from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM at Ott-Laughlin Funeral Home, Winter Haven, Florida. A funeral mass will occur Monday, June 12, 2023 at 11:00 AM at St Joseph Catholic Church, Winter Haven, Florida. Reception and Luncheon in Family Rm 2 after the funeral mass.

Donations in Hank's memory may be made to the St. Vincent de Paul Society, Habitat for Humanity, E.P.C., or the American Cancer Society, Polk PEACE.