Richard E. “Dick” Buckley, 94, of Bruin, died peacefully in his home surrounded by his wife of 72 years, his family, and his most faithful companion, Platinum, late Saturday evening, October 7, 2023.
Richard was born on August 12, 1929, in Bruin. He was the son of the late Paul E. and Helen A. Neal Buckley.
He graduated from Bruin High School in 1947. He is survived by his wife, Raelene J. Rudolph Buckley. The couple was married at the Bruin Presbyterian Church on December 4, 1950.
Dick was a U.S. Army veteran and served during the Korean War from 1951-1953.
Dick was the last surviving charter member of Bruin Volunteer Fire Department and throughout the many years of service to the fire department, he held many administrative offices. He was a long-time active member of the Martinsburg Church of Bruin where he served as a trustee and elder. Dick was employed for more than 44 years by Koppers in Petrolia and belonged to the U.S. Steelworkers Union. He retired in 1991. He was a member of Parker Allegheny Canby Lodge #521 F&AM in Parker, and The Consistory Valley of New Castle and had been a long-time member of the former Miller-Rankin American Legion Post in Foxburg. He enjoyed golfing, hunting, and watching Pittsburgh sports on TV with his dog by his side.
In addition to his wife, Dick is survived by two daughters, Cathy L. Ryan and her husband, Russell, of Fairview and Marcy L. Buckley of Bruin; three grandsons, Matthew Ryan and his wife, Sarah, of Bloomsburg, Michael Ryan and his wife, Kendra, of Fairview and Mark Ryan of Butler; a granddaughter, Renee L. Buckley, Chief Petty Officer, USN Norfolk, VA; two great-grandsons, Zane and Landon Ryan; two great-granddaughters, Lydia and Chloe Ryan; a brother, William C. Buckley of Canfield, OH; his brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Gary and Beth Rudolph of Cochranton and his faithful companion, “Platinum,” as well as a number of nieces, nephews and cousins.
Friends will be received at the Hile Funeral Home of Karns City, 128 Main St., Karns City, from 1-3 and 6-8 p.m. Thursday. Members of the Bruin Volunteer Fire Dept. will conduct a memorial service at 5:45 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home. Members of the Parker Allegheny Canby Lodge will conduct a memorial service for their departed brother at 7:45 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home. A funeral service will be held from the funeral home at 1 p.m. Friday with the Rev. Larry J. Thompson, pastor of Martinsburg Church of Bruin, officiating. Military honors will be accorded by members of Parker VFW Post #7073 on Friday at 12:45 p.m. at the funeral home. The interment will be at Bear Creek Cemetery, Petrolia.
Memorial contributions may be made to The Martinsburg Church of Bruin, PO Box E, Bruin, PA 16022, or the Bruin Volunteer Fire Dept., PO Box I, Bruin, PA 16022. Condolences may be sent by visiting www.hilefh.com