Joseph F. J. Buchtman, 90, Churubusco, passed away at 12:32 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 26, 2016 at Visiting Nurse and Hospice Home in Fort Wayne.

Joseph Buchtman was born May 11, 1926 in New Haven, a son of Joseph F. and Frances (Schafer) Buchtman. He spent his formative years in New Haven.

After school, he served his country in the United States Army, during World War II.

On Aug. 13, 1949 he was married in Ege, to Bernice F. Karasiewicz. The couple moved to this area in 1974

He was employed at Zollner Corp, and retired in 1987after 30 years.

Mr. Buchtman was a member of St. John Bosco Catholic Church. He also belonged to the Churubusco American Legion Post #157, Boots and Bonnets Square Dance, and St. Vincents De Paul Society. He was a Volunteer Fire Fighter in New Haven from 1948 – 1972. He also helped with the St. John Bosco Food Bank and was apart of the SPARK group. He and Bernice also enjoyed traveling.

His wife Bernice preceded him in death on March 11, 2000.

The surviving relatives include four daughters: Helen (Jeffrey) Bracht of Rensselaer; Gretchen (Philip) Brunett of Roanoke; Lois (Randy) Kohlhepp of New Haven; and Josephine (Timothy) Steele of Goshen; three sons: Michael (Pauline) Buchtman of Bloomington; Vincent (Karen) Buchtman of League City, Texas; and Roger (Connie) Buchtman of Fort Wayne; a sister, Catherine Bratcher of Indianapolis; 21 grandchildren and 29 great grandchildren.

In addition to his parents and spouse, he was preceded in death by his sister, Rita Barwiler; two brothers, Michael Buchtman and James Buchtman; a great-grandson, William Tyler Buchtman.

The Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, Oct. 31 at St. John Bosco Catholic Church, with Father Francis Chukwuma, the celebrant.

The family will receive friends at the Sheets & Childs Funeral Home from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, or at the funeral home one hour prior to the service. The Rosary will be recited at 6 p.m. on Sunday at the funeral home.

Burial will be in the St. John Baptist Catholic Cemetery, New Haven.

For those who wish, memorials may be directed to Masses or St. Vincent De Paul Society.