Lewis Arvene Buckingham, 91, of Bowling Green (formerly of Fremont) passed away on Saturday March 29th (at Wood County Hospital) after spending Friday evening with family and his grandson Jackson played guitar for him. He was born on April 19, 1933, in Bloom Center, Ohio to the late Curt E & Frieda A (Whitney) Buckingham. He was a 1951 graduate of Montgomery Local School in Wayne, OH.
He was one of four children each of whom preceded him in death. A sister Raedel Bishop and brothers Carl (Betty) and Lowell E (Sharon).
He is also preceded in death in 1990 by his first wife Wilma M (Crile) of 38 years. They were avid Western Style Square dancers and had two children, both living in Clyde, Joyce E (Willie) Rogers, Steve L (Jeanie) Buckingham-3 grand step children and 27 great and great, great step grandchildren. He had two grandsons Joel D (Jessica) Rogers of Brunswick, Georgia and Paul J (Sadie) Rogers of Clyde and one great grandson Jackson P Rogers who is attending BGSU.
On June 25, 1993, he married Ruah Swartz in the Rose Garden at Hayes Memorial, honeymooning in Australia. He gained a stepson Richard (Melinda) Shedron and two stepdaughters Lou Ann (Thom) Otte, both of Bowling Green and Marlene Lane of Lake Arrowhead, CA. He also gained two more step grand-children Kevin Otte and Ashley Lane.
He retired from Columbia Gas where he had been employed for 38 years. After retirement they traveled the world with Jamaica being his favorite destination, and then spent winters in Phoenix, AZ with his brother Carl and his wife Betty. After Carl’s passing, they spent their winters in Pharr, TX for more square-dancing fun with many lifelong friends who shared their passion.
Visitation will be held at Barndt Funeral Home in Wayne, Ohio on Saturday, April 5, from 11:00 to 12:00. A Celebration of Life Service will follow at 12:00 pm. Memorial donations can be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital. Online condolences can be sent to Lewis’ family at www.barndtfuneralhome.org.
