Bernard "Bernie" Buchta

Buchta, Bernard R. "Bernie", age 75, of Hazel Park, passed away January 26, 2017. He was born September 4, 1941 in Omaha, Nebraska, the first child of 10, to the late Raymond and Agnes Buchta. Bernie's life, like musicals such as "West Side Story", had multiple acts. Act One: At a young age, Bernie was compelled to serve his country. While in high school he enrolled in the ROTC, earned his bachelor degree from Creighton University in Business Adminstration, and married his college sweetheart, Shirley Eva Sorys. In November of 1963 he joined the United States Army. Bernie's chapter with Shirley took them numerous places during his career as an army officer. His first and second children, Jerry and David, were born during their first stay in Germany. 1968 brought language school and a tour in Vietnam that concluded with a safe return to the States the following year. Karlyn, the third Buchta child was born while in Fort Bragg, NC and the family enjoyed being back on American soil. In the early 70's, another assignment brought his family back to Germany, which is where their fourth child, Chris, was born. Duty called the Buchta's back home to Kansas, where Bernie earned his first of two Masters' degrees. Cheryl, their fifth child, was born when the family lived in Aberdeen, Maryland. At the end of the 70's, the family relocated to Korea for a time. The Buchta family returned to the States for good in August of 1980 and they were blessed with Jaclyn, their sixth child. In June of 1982; Shirley, his wife of 18 years, passed away from cancer. Act Two: Bernie remarries. His second love, Denise Boddington, joined the Buchta family in 1985. Together, they continued to grow the family in Fort Lee, Virginia. This is where his seventh and eighth children, Andrew and Bernard (II), were born, completing the "Big 8" family crew. In August 1988, Bernie retired from the Army as a decorated Lieutenant Colonel and the family took up residence in Troy, Michigan. He shared 21 wonderful years with Denise before her passing of cancer in June of 2006. Act Three: Bernie was wholeheartedly enjoying a post-retirement career in Computer Education at the Royal Oak Outreach Center. Teaching was most fulfilling to him and it connected him to his local community. Through his "late in life" teaching career, he continued to touch many people's lives and even met a special jewel, "Joanie" Cizmas, with whom he would share many happy years. The two connected over a deep commitment to GOD, community Outreach and charitable works. They spent countless hours volunteering with the Capuchins' R.O.P.E. program and On The Rise Bakery in Detroit. The two married on October 20, 2007 at St. Mary Magdalene, of Hazel Park, and they had a one-of-a-kind reception offered by the Capuchins (included a specially baked wedding cake by the Capuchins). Together, Bernie and Joan enjoyed retirement and traveled the world to places such as Czechoslovakia, Germany, Canada, and Hawaii. The Buchta clan recently shared a vacation to Niagara Falls. Bernie was a shutterbug and avid family historian. He captured every event that he could on film, as well as tabulating and marking the remarkable events in every family member's life. To him, a fulfilling life was fostering relationships with everyone he was connected with, and unabashedly loving his family every day. Husband of the late Shirley Sorys and Denise Boddington and is survived by his beloved wife, Joan Cizmas Buchta.; loving father of the "Big 8", Jerold T. (Karen) Buchta, David M. (Lenore) Buchta, Karlyn J. (Richard) Jones, Christopher A. (Jennifer) Buchta, Cheryl L. (Jeremy) Lubben, Jaclyn M. (Michael) D'Hondt, Andrew B. Buchta and Bernard R. Buchta II; proud grandfather of Taylor Buchta, Jerod Buchta, Michael Buchta, Eva Jones, CJ Buchta, Jack Jones, Ryan Jones, Wyatt Lubben, Charlie D'Hondt, Lilyanna Lubben, Hayden D'Hondt, Juliet Lubben, Henry D'Hondt, Cora Lubben and Lucas D'Hondt; and dear brother of the "Big 10", Marie (Ed) Bray, Sr. Margaret Buchta O.S.M., Ronald (Laura) Buchta, Raymond Buchta, Robert (Kathy) Buchta, Richard (Jackie) Buchta, Deacon William (Nancy) Buchta, Michael (Deb) Buchta and the late Marianne (Zygmund, surviving) Jedlecki. Visitation: Monday 2-8 p.m. with a 7 p.m. Rosary at the Wm. Sullivan and Son Funeral Home, 705 W 11 Mile Road (4 blocks E of Woodward), Royal Oak. In state: Tuesday 10 a.m. until the time of Mass at 10:30 a.m. at Guardian Angels Catholic Church, 581 E. 14 Mile Road, Clawson. Burial at Great Lakes National Cemetery, Holly. Memorials to the Capuchin 'On The Rise Bakery' are appreciated. Share your memories on the Tribute Wall tab at www.sullivanfuneraldirectors.com

Bernard "Bernie" Buchta

September 4, 1941 - January 26, 2017