Buckwalter, Royce E.

Royce E. Buckwalter, 85, died Sunday, Nov. 17, 2013, at his home in Wellman.

Royce was born Aug. 15, 1928, in Cleona, Pa., the son of Roy and Ruth (Books) Buckwalter. Royce graduated from Hesston Academy and attended Hesston College in Kansas. On June 1, 1951, Royce was united in marriage to Betty Jean Swartzendruber in Wellman.

He was a loving husband for 62 years and devoted father of three.

He enjoyed working for his dad, Roy, and became the owner of Buckwalter Motors car dealerships in Wellman and Washington selling Chevrolets and other brands. He retired in 1998 but continued to spend his time helping his son, Tom, in the car business.

Royce was a lifelong member of the Wellman Mennonite Church. He serviced on numerous committees for the church and the city of Wellman and supported the local schools.

Royce is survived by his wife, Betty of Wellman; son, Tom (Paula) Buckwalter, and granddaughters, Anne and Renee, of Wellman; daughter, Jane (Duane) Mauldin, and grandchildren, Anthony and Ruth, of Mesa, Ariz.; son, John (Pam) Buckwalter, and grandchildren, Kamryn and Jack, of Scottsdale, Ariz.; and a sister, Laura Nicholls of Palm Bay, Fla.

He was preceded in death by his parents; stepmother, Marie Martin Buckwalter; and a sister, Mary Hudachek.

The funeral service will be 10 a.m. Monday, Nov. 25, at Wellman Mennonite Church. Visitation will be from 1 to 6 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 24, at Buckwalter Motors in Wellman, with family present from 2 to 6 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial gifts to the Wellman Area Foundation for Economic Development and Wellman Mennonite Church.

The Powell Funeral Home in Wellman is in charge of arrangements.

Published Nov. 21, 2013 in The Gazette