Bucher, James (1887-1982)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 19 Aug 1982 p. 10, 11

Birth date: 1887

text of obituary:

Evangelist Died in Oregon at Age of 94

Hubbard, Ore. – Funeral services were held July 14 at the Hopewell Mennonite Church here for James Bucher, well-known Mennonite evangelist, who died July 10 at the age of 94.

The funeral sermon was preached by Paul Smith of Elida, Ohio.

Bucher and his wife made many evangelistic trips across the U.S. They were featured in the book, Under God’s Arrest, published in 1974.

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 19 Aug 1982 p. 11

JAMES BUCHER

James Bucher, son of Peter and Margaret (Hygema) Bucher, was born Dec. 31, 1887 at Milford, Ind. He passed away July 10, 1982 at the Home for the Aged, Albany, Ore., at age 94.

Preceding him in death were his sister; wife, Fannie; son, Harold; and foster daughter, Amy Yoder.

He is survived by a brother, Jacob of Milford, Ind.; a daughter, Olive (Mrs. Abram) Miller of Estacada, Ore.; a son, Paul of Olympia, Wash.; 18 grandchildren; 48 great-grandchildren; and five great-great-grandchildren.

On Mar. 20, 1909 he was united in marriage to Fannie Luetta Mills at her parents’ home near New Paris, Ind. The Lord graciously brought them to salvation at the little Madison chapel west of Wakarusa, Ind. after five years of life together. The rest of their married life they served the Lord with their whole hearts. The Lord gave them almost 68 years of life together.

James was ordained minister at Kouts, Ind. by Bishop J. K. Bixler on Mar. 5, 1920 at the age of 32. He served there for three and one-half years, then moved to Daviess County, where he served as pastor of the newly-formed Berea congregation for nine years, after which he and his family moved west.

On their way west in 1932, they worked in the grain harvest in North Dakota and also held revival meetings. Later the same year they journeyed on to Upland, Calif. and helped form a new congregation at nearby North Pomona. After serving there for about 10 years they came north to Hubbard, Ore., and later moved to Portland to help with the Jewish work , which became very close to his heart. He was co-pastor of the Hopewell congregation for nearly 22 years.

Their 65th wedding anniversary was a special event for James and Fannie, as it was held in the Jewish Senior Citizens Center with many Jewish friends attending as well as Gentile Christians.

After moving to the West, James continued his evangelistic efforts, crossing the U.S. more than 100 times, usually pulling their house trailer, their home when they were away from home. He also filled the office fo Field Evangelist for the Pacific Coast conference for several years. His zeal and faithful preaching blessed many.

At his passing James was the oldest member of the Porter Mennonite church, Estacada, Ore. Funeral services were held at the Hopewell Mennonite Church on July 14, 1982 in charge of Ernest Bontrager, Paul Smith, and Maynard Headings, with interment in the adjoining cemetery.