L. Gene Bucher, 79, ordained Brethren minister, author of Sunday School literature

L. Gene Bucher, 79, of Brethren Village, died July 22 at Lancaster General Hospital.

Married for 59 years, he was the husband of Fern (Liskey) Bucher. He was the son of A. Lester Bucher and Helen (Balsbach) Bucher.

He is survived by two daughters: Debra Bucher, of Poughkeepsie, N.Y., married to Mark Colvson; and Beth Martin, of Terre Hill, married to Loren Martin. In addition, he is survived by five grandchildren: Abigail (Martin), married to Daniel Burkholder; Anne (Martin), married to Luke Bingaman; Mary (Martin), married to Roy Brendle; Jonathan Colvson; and Catie Colvson-Bucher; and one great-granddaughter: Cora Burkholder. Also surviving are two sisters: Joanne Church of Hibbing, Minn.; and Brenda Martz of Lititz.

Gene graduated from Myerstown High School (ELCO) in 1954, Elizabethtown College in 1958, Bethany Theological Seminary in 1961, and received a doctorate in ministry degree from Bethany in 1981. As pastor, he served Church of the Brethren congregations in Keyser, W.Va.; Virginia Beach, Va.; Hatfield; and locally at Black Rock in Glenville; and Hempfield in East Petersburg. He served on the Church of the Brethren Ministry and Mission Board, as denominational representative to the National Council of Churches, and as district moderator in West Virginia, Southern Pennsylvania, and Atlantic Northeast.

His love for biblical scholarship led him to teach in various capacities: on numerous occasions, he wrote adult Sunday School literature for the Church of the Brethren, and he also taught “Journey through the Bible” at both Lancaster and Lititz Church of the Brethren. He was an active member of the Lancaster Church of the Brethren where he sang in the choir, taught Sunday School, and was a substitute leader of the morning prayer breakfast. At Elizabethtown College, he was captain of the soccer team and threw a no-hitter his senior year as pitcher on the baseball team. He was an avid golfer and Phillies fan.

In lieu of flowers, send memorial contributions to the Lancaster Church of the Brethren Youth Program.

A memorial service is planned for 11 a.m. on Saturday, July 30, at Lancaster Church of the Brethren. The family will receive family and friends at a luncheon following the service.

Online condolences may be posted to thegroffs.com. The Groffs Family Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Lancaster, handled the arrangements.