Sabinus 'Sonny' Buchheit

SABINUS ANTHONY "SONNY" BUCHHEIT

Independence

Sabinus Anthony "Sonny" Buchheit, 85, of Independence, died Monday, Feb. 20, 2017, at Prairie Hills Assisted Living in Independence.

He was born July 18, 1931, in Festina, Iowa, the son of Florian Joseph Buchheit and Fredoline Agnes (Heying) Buchheit. He graduated from Calmar High School with the Class of 1949. He served in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War as a communications technician third class at the U.S. Naval Radio Station in Adak, Alaska, and later at the U.S. Naval Security Station in Washington, D.C. While in Washington, D.C., he met Helen Marie Rockwell of Bangor, Maine, and on Nov. 13, 1954, they were married at the South Chapel of Arlington National Cemetery, Fort Myers, Arlington, Va. Following their military service, they returned to West Union, Iowa, where Sonny sold insurance. They moved to Independence in 1960, where he became a poultry salesman for Ward Hatchery. Over the years, he became known in the poultry industry throughout the Midwest. He worked closely with Iowa State University as an authority on poultry care and pathology. It has been said that the poultry textbook at Iowa State reads, "if all else fails, call S.A. Buchheit, Independence, Iowa." He never really retired as he was sought out for poultry advice up until his last days.

Sonny was a member of St. John's Catholic Church in Independence, where he had served on church boards and the St. John's school board. He was an honorary life member of Knights of Columbus Council No. 4332 in Independence and a fourth degree member of Knights of Columbus, Hennessy Assembly No. 264 of Waterloo. He was also a lifelong sports enthusiast as an athlete, coach and spectator.

Sonny is survived by three sons, David (Rosann) Buchheit, Dyersville, Alan (Kendra) Buchheit, Show Low, Ariz., and Scott (Cindy) Buchheit, Ladson, S.C.; four daughters, Cindy (John) White, Jesup, Jennifer (Clay) Marquis, Alton, Ill., Deb (Robert) Burger, Marion, and Barb (Mark) Haisch, Clive; 26 grandchildren; 34 great-grandchildren; three brothers, Del (Carolyn) Buchheit, Peosta, Harry Buchheit, Dubuque, and Joe (Linda) Buchheit, Dubuque; four sisters, Toni Strey, Avondale, Pa., Betty (Mark) Topf, Dubuque, Pat (Bob) Eldan, Lander, Wyo., and Jeanne (George) Lucero, Socorro, N.M.; also two sisters-in-law, Dolores Buchheit, St. Lucas, and Darlene Buchheit, Maynard.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Helen, 2011; one son, Norman, 2012; two brothers, Ambrose Buchheit and Kelly Buchheit; one sister, Pam Buchheit; one sister-in-law, Colette Buchheit; and one brother-in-law, Marshall Strey.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 25, at St. John's Catholic Church, Independence, with Father David Beckman as celebrant. Burial will be at Mount Hope Cemetery, Independence, with military rites. Visitation will be from 3 to 8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 24, at White Funeral Home, 400 First St. West, Independence, where there will be a rosary by the Knights of Columbus Fourth Degree at 4 p.m. and a vigil service at 7 p.m. Friday.

Memorials may be directed to the family. Online condolences may be posted at www.White-MtHope.com.