Donald E. Buckle, 82, of Carthage, Missouri, formerly of Arma, died at 3:05 p.m. Monday, Nov. 4, 2024, at home.
Mr. Buckle was born May 2, 1942, in Kansas City, Kansas, the son of Robert Thomas and Althea Marguerite Turner Buckle. He lived in the Pittsburg area most of his life. Don was a retired self-taught mechanic. He worked for Martin Tractor-Caterpillar and retired from Alternate Fuels. He worked on the Alaska Pipe Line. He married Melva L. Cayton on Oct. 7, 1966, at Colby, Kansas. Mrs. Buckle preceded him in death April 8, 2014. He was raised in Welda, Kansas and graduated from Welda High School in the Class of 1960. He was a member of the Good Old Boys Fishing Club and the Safari Club. He was a loving father, grandpa, and friend and will be remembered for his sense of humor and kindness. Survivors include two daughters, Kim Couch and Darla Easter both of Joplin, Missouri, a son, Dan (Jeff) Buckle of Las Vegas, Nevada, a brother, Richard Buckle of Colony, Kansas, a special friend, Kandis Pendley of Carthage, Missouri, five grandchildren, Heather and Scott Marshall, Shane and Ballie Couch, Taylor and Grant Wolf, Brittany Easter, and Bryce and Gwenyth Easter, and eight great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, Melva, and a brother, Robert Buckle.
Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 7, 2024, at the Bedene Funeral Home at Arma, Kansas with Pastor Johnie Adkins officiating. Burial will be at the Pittsburg Garden of Memories Cemetery. The family will receive friends 6 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024, at the Bedene Chapel in Arma. The family suggests memorials to the Joplin Humane Society or the SHINE-Joplin (a daycare program for disabled adults). Donations may be sent to or left at the Bedene Funeral Home, 517 E. Washington, Box 621, Arma, Kansas 66712.