Elmer J. Buchanon, 1006 Armand Ave., Hermitage, passed away at 3:50 a.m. Friday (7-10-09) in the hospital of Sharon Regional Health System. He was 86.
Mr. Buchanon was born May 13, 1923 in Butler, PA a son of the late William and Mabel Ramsey Buchanon.
He moved to the area in 1929 and was the foster son of Pete and Mary Beatty.
Mr. Buchanon was a 1942 graduate of Hickory High School, Hermitage, and attended Youngstown State University.
A decorated war veteran, he served as a gunner with the US Air Force in the European Theater during WWII and completed 50 missions over enemy territory. He was the recipient of many medals, including four bronze stars and the air medal, and was honorably discharged on October 20, 1945.
Mr. Buchanon was employed as an electrician at the former Wheatland Tube Co. and retired in 1985 with 35 years of service.
He was a member of the Church of Notre Dame, Hermitage, for more than 40 years and founded the Notre Dame Grade School basketball program. He was active in the Hermitage Little League and, what was then, JV Baseball serving as a coach or manager from 1962-1974. An avid golfer and bowler, he was a member of the Wheatland Tube Golf League and the senior leagues at Thornton Hall Bowling Lanes in Sharon and Sunset Lanes in Farrell.
Surviving are: his wife at home, the former Rose M. Rosa, whom he married October 17, 1946 in St. Bartholomew Church, Sharpsville; two sons, David E. Buchanon and his wife Pamela, Basking Ridge, NJ; and Tony Buchanon and his wife Monica, Highlands Ranch, CO; six grandchildren, granddaughters Jennifer, New Haven, CT; Kimberly, New York, NY; Courtney, Basking Ridge, NJ; and Ashlin, Highlands Ranch, CO; and two grandsons, Sean and Conor, both of Highlands Ranch, CO.
Mr. Buchanon was preceded in death by a son Joseph who died in infancy; and two sisters and one brother.
The family suggests memorial contributions be made to the Church of Notre Dame, 2335 Highland Rd., Hermitage, PA 16148.
Private calling hours for family will be held on Monday (7-13-09) from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. in J. Bradley McGonigle Funeral Home and Crematory, Inc., 1090 E. State St., Sharon.
Friends may email condolences by visiting www.McGonigleFuneralHomeandCrematory.com.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held at the convenience of the family in Church of Notre Dame, with the Rev. Jeffrey Noble, pastor, as celebrant.
Interment: St. Mary's Cemetery, Hermitage, with military honors rendered by the Hickory VFW, Post 6166, Honor Guard.