Kenneth A. "Ken" Bucher

Kenneth Alderfer “Ken” Bucher, age 73, of Manheim, PA went to be with his Lord and Savior on Saturday, May 11, 2024.  For the past 8 years he courageously fought the battle of Lewy Body Disease and resided at the Mt. Hope Nazarene Retirement Community for the last two of those years. He was born in Dover, PA on May 18, 1950 to the late John and Mildred Bucher.

In his late teens he taught at various Summer Bible Schools, Sunday School, and led singing. He graduated from Lancaster Mennonite High School, class of 1968 and York Hospital School of Nursing in 1971. He was the first male student in the 75th class. He spent the summer of 1971 at Mountain Clinic in Harmen, WV where he enjoyed working with his uncle who was a doctor.  Following this, he entered Voluntary Service with Eastern Mennonite Board in Philadelphia where he met the love of his life, Evelyn Brandt.  His heart for the elderly led him to work at Friends Hall, Philadelphia and then 27 years at Mt. Hope Nazarene Retirement Community (formerly Mt. Hope Dunkard Brethren Church Home) from 1980-2006.  Ken and his wife served as the first managers of the Manheim Jubilee Ministries Thrift store where he worked until his retirement in 2015.  He was also licensed as a pastor in 1972 and served at Oxford Circle Mennonite Church, Philadelphia from 1972 – 1980.   He later pastored at Manheim Mennonite Church from 1981 until he retired in 2015. 

His love for the Lord, His Church, The Bible and his Anabaptist heritage and faith inspired his family and those he ministered to. His favorite scripture verse was 3 John 1:4 “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth,” This included not only his children, but the children of God he pastored.

On March 31, 1973 he married Evelyn Brandt and together they had 6 children.  He was a very present father, demonstrating to his children the importance of peacemaking and living simply. He was a servant leader in the home and ministry. He was gentle and encouraging, and valued family togetherness and brought that about through family singing, working outside, camping, hiking, canoeing, and biking.  Though he worked very hard at his job, he found many reasons to take his family for outdoor activities. His biking enthusiasm found him biking solo as a late teenager on a 3-speed bike all the way to Harmen, WV from Dover, PA.

His loving family includes his wife, Evelyn Bucher, 5 sons: Kevin (Kristin Kauffman) Eurasia, Keith (Coryna Wray) of Elnora, IN, Karl (Lindsey Bauman) of Greer, South Carolina, Kenton (Emily Zeiset) of Manheim, and Kristofer (Rachel Stahl) of Manheim, a daughter, Kendra (Jeff Johnson) of Indianapolis, IN and 23 grandchildren. His siblings are J. Paul (Esther) of Manheim, Ruth (Jim Mellinger) of San Antonio, TX, and Nancy (Steve Rodfort) of Durham, NC and many cousins, nieces, and nephews.

Ken was predeceased by his parents, John and Mildred Bucher, his paternal grandparents, Bela and Mabel Bucher and step grandmother Alma Bucher and his maternal grandparents, Harvey and Susan Alderfer.

We want to thank Landis Homes Adult Day Care, Agape Care Agency, Caring Hospice and all the nurses and staff at Mt. Hope Nazarene Retirement Community for their kind, loving care for Ken.

Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend Ken’s Funeral Service at Erb Mennonite Church, 567 West Lexington Road, Lititz on Thursday, May 16, 2024 at 10:00 AM. There will be a viewing at Erb Mennonite Church on Wednesday evening from 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM and again at the church on Thursday morning from 9:00 AM until the time of service. Interment in Erisman Mennonite Cemetery, Manheim. Those desiring may send contributions in Ken’s memory to Mt. Hope Nazarene Retirement Community Building Fund, 3026 Mt. Hope Home Road, Manheim, PA 17545 or Jubilee Prison Ministries, 235 South 12th Street, Lebanon, PA 17042.