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ebook History of Watertown, Wisconsin
Ron Buchanan
September 13, 1926 - July
27, 2021
Watertown, WI - Ron
Buchanan, 94, of Watertown, passed away on Tuesday, July 27, 2021, at his home.
Ronald Dale Buchanan was born September
13, 1926, in Ottawa, Illinois, the son of Jesse Franklin and Florence H. (nee Schoof) Buchanan. He grew up in Lincoln, Logan County,
Illinois. In 1943 at age 17 he enlisted in the United States Army Air Forces
(predecessor of the U.S. Air Force). After graduating from Lincoln Community
High School in 1944, he completed basic training in Biloxi, Mississippi,
attended the Army Specialized Training Program at Michigan State University,
and was in training to become a pilot when World War II ended. He enjoyed
explaining that Hitler gave up and killed himself when he found out that Ron
was headed to Europe.
Ron loved Watertown
which was his home of nearly 50 years all together, calling it his adopted
hometown. He worked in sales, which he loved, including for Illinois Shade,
Country Companies, and Holiday Wholesale, and he managed the Elks Country Club
in Lincoln, Illinois for a number of years. After his retirement he worked part
time at Justmann's Liquor Store (now Watertown
Liquors) for 20 years. He was first elected to serve on the Watertown Unified
School District Board of Education in 1995, a position he held for 25 years
until his retirement last year. He was first elected to serve on the Jefferson
County Board of Supervisors in 1988, a position he held for 30 years, and he
was appointed by Mayor Fred Smith to the Watertown City Plan Commission in
1998, serving for 6 years. He was a Life Member of the American Legion and a
member of Watertown's
Pitterle-Beaudoin Post No. 189 for the past 42
years.
Ron was a character
and lived life on his own terms. He was quick with a joke and known for his
storytelling and phenomenal math skills. His favorite pastime was drinking
coffee or "having one" on his front porch with his many friends and
neighbors. He could be found shouting at the television whenever the Green Bay
Packers or the Wisconsin Badgers were playing. He had a lifelong love of photography,
and over the years he also enjoyed bowling, golfing, hunting, and fishing. He
was delighted to win Watertown's 98¢ Beauty Contest as "Cleofatra" when he was 60 years old.
He was blessed to
share a lifelong friendship with his paper boy Tom Schultz, who grew up to
become Editor of the Watertown Daily Times, and whom he loved like a son. Ron
also shared a deep bond with his neighbors, including Craig and Gloria
Coughlan, Jeff and Bonnie Wetzel, Tim Gutzdorf, Herb Staude, and Dean Lenius. In Ron's
later years, in the absence of any nearby relatives, they looked after him as
one of their own--mowing his lawn, clearing snow, and often bringing him a
plate of whatever they were having for lunch or dinner. He loved them all like
family, and everything they did for him was so very much appreciated.
Ron is survived by
his five children: Carole Buchanan of The Woodlands, Texas; Sandra
"Sis" Wieber of Sugar Land, Texas; Barbara
Buchanan of Houston, Texas; Rebecca (Jonathan) Buchanan-Mackie of Center
Sandwich, New Hampshire; and David (Heather) Buchanan of Brookfield; grandsons
Scott Wieber, Ian Mackie, and Charles Mackie; former
wife, Norma Buchanan (nee Conner); former second wife, Paula Schoenike (nee Cochran); as well as nieces, nephews, other
relatives and friends. He was the last member of his immediate family. He was
preceded in death by his parents; brother Robert (Ethel) Buchanan; and sister
Patricia (John) Mosier.
Funeral services will be held on Friday, August 13, 2021, at 3:00 p.m. at Hafemeister Funeral Home with Rev. Ray Bezanson officiating. Family and friends may gather at the funeral home from 2:00 p.m. until the time of the service. Burial, with graveside military rites, will take place at Oak Hill Cemetery in Watertown.
Hafemeister
Funeral Home and Cremation Service of Watertown is serving the family.
History of Watertown, Wisconsin