John Buckman

John Buckman Obituary (written by John Buckman on 6-13-2021) January 10, 1944-October 7, 2025 – 81 years young John Maurice Buckman was born January 10, 1944, at St Elizabeth's Hospital, Hannibal Missouri to Agnes Virgina Adam and Maurice Bernard Buckman. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 AM, Wednesday, October 15, 2025, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Palmyra, MO. Fr. Gerald Kaimann will officiate. Burial will follow at St. Jospeh Catholic Cemetery in Palmyra, MO. Friends and Family are invited to John's Life Celebration at a visitation that will be held from 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM, Tuesday, October 14, 2025, at the Lewis Brothers Funeral Chapel in Palmyra, MO. A Rosary will follow at 7:00 PM. Deacon Dwayne Goodwin will officiate. Arrangements are under the direction of the Lewis Brothers Funeral Chapel in Palmyra, MO. Survivors include his spouse, Fay Jean Richmond Buckman. They were united in Marriage on February 20, 1965, at Blessed Sacrament Church, Hannibal on a 67-degree day which stood as the record high for that day until 2019. Also survived by 5 sons, John Thaddeus, Rancho Cucamonga, CA; Craig Micheal (Jennifer) St Charles, MO; Robert Maurice (Candi), Webster Groves, MO; Trent Christopher (Myra), Upland, CA. Ryan Anthony (Meredith), Columbia MO. 3 sisters, Barbara Conley (John), Moreno Valley, CA, Judy Contrares (Jim), Corona, CA. Donna Holman (Robert), Temecula, CA, Mark (Sam) Alta Loma, CA. Jeffery (Kathy), Monroe City, MO. 14 Grandchildren, 2 great grandchildren and numerous nephews and nieces. At Age 2, John's family moved from Monroe City to Palmyra and lived in an apartment over Buckman's Tavern at 105 South Main St. At age 6, 1950 the family moved to a new home at 205 South Home Street. John attended St Joseph's Elementary School for 8 years, then McCooey High School in Hannibal graduating in 1962. As classmates, he and Jean had their 1st date in their senior year on September 1, 1961, going to a movie at the Tom Sawyer Theater. John liked to show people the ticket stub from that movie at the Tom Sawyer Theater. He was very active in school affairs. Class officer, student council Vice President, Shamrock Post staff and Assistant editor. He earned 4 varsity football letters and 1 varsity basketball letter. Named as the 1st team football center, Quint City Conference his Senior Year, he was awarded a football scholarship to St. Benedicts College in Atchison Kansas. He also attended college at Kirksville State Teachers. His first full time job was at Northeast Power Co-op in Palmyra where he worked on the survey crew that surveyed the power line location from the then planned Clarence Cannon Dam to the Power Plant on the Mississippi east of Palmyra. Then he worked on the line crew for 1 year before transferring to the Power Plan where he worked the swing shift for 3 years. In 1967 he was hired at J.C. Penny in Hannibal as a management trainee. As a department manager in 1970, John, Jean and their 3 sons Thad, Craig, and Bob were transferred to a newly built J.C Penny store in the West County Mall in Des Peres, MO. They lived in Kirkwood. He also worked at the South City Cherokee St J.C. Pennys until April 1973 when the family moved to Palmyra where John join his dad, Maurice, in the operation of Buckman's Package and Convivence Store. As Maurice was retiring John changed careers and in 1980 was hired by Prudential Insurance Company as an agent. He worked in Hannibal 2 years and 18 years in the Quincy Office, serving 2 years as a sales manager. He took an early retirement from Prudential in 2000 and continued working as an independent agent for 20 years. After the 1973 move back home, John became very involved in Civic & Church activities while he and Jean were raising their "All Boy" family. He was elected at age 30 to the Palmyra City Council in 1974 serving 8 years. An enthusiastic Kiwanis member, he served as a distinguished President in 1976. He was also treasurer in 1976 of the Palmyra Bi-Centennial Committee. As a member of St Joseph Catholic Church, John was a 50+ year member of the Knights of Columbus and served 3 times on the Parish Council. In 2008, he was part of a 3-person committee to oversee the selection and $250,000 fund raiser for new stained-glass windows. In 2015 he was on the $250,000 capital campaign committee for redecorating and numerous improvements to the church property. He was a longtime cemetery board member. John was a car lover from his high school 1953 Ford to his 1970 Thunderbird hardtop which he purchased in 1974. He and Jean were long time members of the Vintage Thunderbird Club as well as the Loafers car club where he served as the secretary for over 10 years. They traveled the country and made many long-lasting friendships over the years because of the car hobby. Also, as a model train enthusiast, in 2000 he resurrected his childhood 1953 American Flyer and built a nice layout over a 10-year period. John was very proud of his 5 sons and enjoyed their many activities and accomplishments with pride as they grew up. The family spent about 8 years in the 1970's enjoying the "Buckman Mississippi River Camp" and boating. He enjoyed caring for his yard and flowers. He was an avid fan of the Palmyra Panthers, Notre Dame Football, Missouri Tigers, and the St. Louis Cardinals. The family joined the Quincy YMCA in 1984 and maintained a 3 day a week workout schedule for 40 years into his early 80's. He was proud of this accomplishment in his health life. Jean joined him at the Y when she retired in 2010. Pallbearers: Grandsons Cody, Hunter, Dominic, and Liam Buckman. Best Friend John Frier along with friend and neighbor Pat Thelan. Honorary Pallbearers- Lifelong Friends Jim McClintic, Buzz Ballinger, Bud Purvis. Loafer members Terry Fletcher and John Dennison. Memorials to be sent to St Joesph Cemetery Fund. To plant a beautiful memorial tree in memory of John, please visit our Tree Store.