On Monday, August 22, Jim Buhl, beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend to so many, passed away at the age of 81. Born to Riley M. Buhl and Nora Hartense Caudle Buhl in Liberty, Indiana, he married the love of his life, Diana June Buhl on May 19th, 1962, at St. Elizabeth Catholic Church in Cambridge City, Indiana. Jim and Diana would go on to have two children and six grandchildren, filling their lives (as well as the lives of everyone around) with love, laughter, faith, and the importance of family.
Jim, a 1960 graduate of Hagerstown High School, was a member of the Fighting Tigers basketball and football teams. Also, during high school and after graduation, he worked on his family farm and for Gene Howell’s farm in Hagerstown. It was in the summer of 1959, when Jim met the love of his life, Diana Gethers. The first years of their married life were spent in Fort Wayne, Indiana, where he worked in construction. When they returned to the Wayne County area in early 1963, Jim began his 25-plus years at NATCO working, within the sales division. While at NATCO, Jim was a member of the NATCO 25 Year Club, as well as the company bowling team and golf leagues, proudly earning the prestigious trophy for “The Loud Mouth” of the team. His career would lead him to be the Director of Sales and Marketing. In 1987, Jim, and his co-workers, Ken Abernathy, Nelson Hardin, and Ron Wohlfort opened Plastic Machinery Technology, PMT, where they continued to work within the injection molding industry. He and his partners sold the majority of PMT, while Jim maintained the parts division of the company. Jim semi-retired in 2007, and then completely retired in 2017.
Along with his career, Jim was an active member of the St. Elizabeth Social Club, School Board Member for Western Wayne Schools, coach and volunteer for Cambridge City Boys Baseball League, and member of Hartley Hills Country Club. In 1987, Jim completed his RCIA to grow his faith journey and become Catholic. In 1990, Jim and Diana began their favorite role: being grandparents. It was no secret that their greatest joys were having the grandchildren for sleepovers and holidays and watching all their events and accomplishments.
Jim was proceeded in death by his grandson, Bradley Stokesbury, brothers, Ed, Bob, and Danny Buhl, and sisters, Barbara Burl and Elizabeth “Liz” White. He is survived by his wife, Diana; daughter, Lisa (Bruce) Stokesbury; son, Randy (Julie) Buhl; five grandchildren, Shawn, Patrick, Libby, Emily, and Jamie; one sister, Sandra (Robert) Gurley; sisters-in-law Janis (Duane) Buhl-Macy and Joan (Brent) Bundy; brothers-in-law, David (Betsy) Gethers and Garris Stearns; along with a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and close friends.
Friends may call from 4 until 8 PM on Friday, August 26, with a Rosary service at 7:45 PM at Waskom Capitol Hill Chapel. The funeral Mass will be held at 10:00 AM on Saturday, August 27 at St. Elizabeth Catholic Church and burial will follow at Riverside Cemetery both in Cambridge City.
In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to Western Wayne Dollars for Scholars, 215 E Parkway Dr., Cambridge City, IN 47327.
Online condolences may be made at www.waskoms.com