Rev. Gordon W. Bucher, 89, passed away at 5:30 a.m. Monday, Sept. 28, 2015, in Timbercrest Healthcare Center, North Manchester.

Gordon was born at Astoria, Ill. on June 20, 1926, to Harry and Ethel (David) Bucher.

He married Darlene Fair at Franklin Grove, Ill. on June 22, 1947. She survives, as well as three sons: Barry (Diana Eberly) Bucher, North Manchester; Brent (Janet Board) Bucher, Fresno, Ohio; and Brad (Therese Daley) Bucher, Plymouth; seven grandsons; four great-granddaughters; and one sister: Bettylou Early, Ariz.

He graduated from high school in Rockford, Ill. in 1944, Manchester College in 1947 and Bethany Seminary and Northwestern University in 1951. In the summer of 1945, he was a “sea-going cowboy” on the first ship to take over 500 horses to Patras, Greece from New Orleans for UNRRA, Heifer Project, and the Church of the Brethren. In 1947-48, he taught 45 students in a split class of 4th and 5th graders at Jefferson Township School in Whitley County as well as pastoring the Bethel Center Church of the Brethren. In 1950, he served as a summer pastor for the Liberty Church of the Brethren in Illinois.

For the following seven years, he served as pastor of the Springfield, Ill. Church of the Brethren. In 1958, Gordon was called to be the district executive of the Northern Ohio District of the Church of the Brethren where he served until 1991, the longest tenure of any district executive in the Church of the Brethren.

During his professional life, he also served as president of the Springfield, IL Council of Churches and later on the board of the Ohio Council of Churches, as well as chair of the council of District Executives of the Church of the Brethren. Following retirement, Gordon and his wife, Darlene, who had been an elementary principal for 20 years in Hartville, Ohio, moved to a new home they built in North Manchester.

He was an ardent St. Louis Cardinal fan and a life-long golfer. He played in the local Firecracker Golf League and was a two time champion.

Family and friends may call from 6-8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 2, at McKee Mortuary, North Manchester. The funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 3, at the Manchester Church of the Brethren, North Manchester, and will be conducted by Pastor Kurt Borgmann. Burial will follow the service at Oaklawn Cemetery, North Manchester.

Preferred memorials may be given to the Northern Ohio District, Church of the Brethren, Ashland, Ohio, Manchester University, North Manchester, Timbercrest Senior Living Community, North Manchester, or Manchester Church of the Brethren, North Manchester.