Jay Dale Buker

Nov. 3, 1909 - Oct. 18, 2008

STOCKVILLE -- Jay Dale Buker, 98, of Stockville, died Oct. 18, 2008, at Linden Court in North Platte.

He was born to Jesse G. and M. Alma (Wymore) Buker on Nov. 3, 1909, in Freedom. He grew up in Frontier County in the Stockville Area. He attended school in Freedom and graduated from Nebraska School of Agriculture in Curtis in 1930.

He was a lifelong farmer and rancher in the Stockville area. In 1938, he moved to Orafino after his marriage to Lillian Hilkey in McCook on May 3. He farmed between Stockville and Curtis from 1945 to 1974. He lived in Curtis from 1974 to 1998 and in North Platte from 1998 until his death.

He was a lifelong member of the Stockville Odd Fellow and Stockville Congregational Church. He was a member of the District No. 9 School Board for many years.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Lillian in 1985; a daughter Esther Buker in 1990; grandson, Rory Crow in 1991; four sisters; and four brothers.

Survivors include his daughters Opal Crow of Cheyenne, Wyo., and Carol and husband, Tim Wright of Apache Junction, Ariz., his sons, Leon R. "Bud" and wife, Nicola Buker of Stockville; Jesse I. and wife, Danette Buker of Commerce, Texas; nine grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be 11 a.m., Wednesday at Stockville Congregational Church in Stockville with the Rev. Janie Freeman officiating. Burial will take place at the Arbor Cemetery in Stockville.

Visitation will be today until 9 p.m., with family present from 7 - 9 p.m., at Blase-Wetzel-Strauser Memorial Chapel in Curtis. Online condolences maybe sent to the family at www.blasestrauser.com.

Memorials maybe made to the church, Curtis Senior Center or National Breast Cancer Foundation.

Blase-Strauser Memorial Chapel is in charge of arrangements.