Roland was born on November 18, 1928, in Arba, Indiana, to Rex Royal and Frances Marie Kinder Buckley. He attended school in Abington, Indiana, and Highland Heights Elementary School in Richmond. Roland served in the U.S. Army. He was formerly employed as a mechanic at Wayne Dairy and Oberle, both in Richmond and Shamrock Dairy in Arizona. Roland was a member of the former Reid Memorial Presbyterian Church in Richmond. He enjoyed camping, traveling, and spending time with his family.
Survivors include his wife of 72 years, Ruth Eileen Long Buckley; three sons, Mike (Karla) Buckley of Williamsburg, Indiana, Roland (Deborah) Buckley of Richmond, and Timothy Buckley of Michigan City, Indiana; two daughters, Laura (Mike) Rumer of Swansea, Illinois, and Linda (Steve) Girdler of Richmond; seven grandchildren, Cammie (Josh) Delph of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Royce Buckley of Richmond, Jennifer (David) Jarrett of Avon, Indiana, Shannon Rumer and Michele Rumer, both of Missouri, Nicole McDaniel of Liberty, Indiana, and Allysa Ponder of Richmond; 10 great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Raymond Earl Buckley; sister, Muriel McClelland; and father-in-law and mother-in-law, Glen and Dortha Long.
The family would like to thank the staff of Forest Park Health Campus for their kindness and wonderful care of Roland.
There will be no public services for Roland Irvin Buckley Sr. The family will have a private service at a later date. Burial will be in Earlham Cemetery. Arrangements are being handled by Doan & Mills Funeral Home, 790 National Road West, Richmond.
Please send condolence cards to Eileen Buckley, c/o Forest Park Health Campus, 2401 South L Street, Richmond, IN 47374.