Eugene Buckmiller

Eugene Arthur Buckmiller 92 of Des Moines, formerly of Orient, Iowa passed away Thursday November 24, 2022 at the Life Center in Des Moines, Iowa surrounded by family. Services will be 10:30 AM, Friday, December 2, 2022 at Pearson Family Funeral Service & Cremation Center, Creston. Pastor Phil Price will officiate. Visitation with family receiving friends will be Thursday, December 1, 2022 from 4-8 PM at the funeral home. Eugene will be laid to rest in the Prairie Lawn Cemetery at Spaulding. Memorial contributions may be directed to the family in loving memory of Eugene. Memories and condolences can be shared online at www.pearsonfuneralhomes.com.

Gene (Buck) was born on July 10, 1930 to Harry and Mary (Dowse) Buckmiller in Orient, Iowa. He graduated from Orient High School in 1950. After graduating Gene joined the Air Force on Jan. 3 1951 and did his basic in San Antonio, Tx. He was a Korean War Veteran and spent time in Okinawa flying in B-29’s as the Flight Engineer and was honorable discharged July 28, 1954. While he was in the service he married his wife Donna of 70 years on June 8th 1952. To this marriage they had four daughters.

After coming home from the service Gene went to work on the family farm with his dad. Beside farming he was a jack of all trades and master of none… he was a mail carrier, electrician, plumber, carpenter, water plant operator, city maintenance man, and a scout leader just to name a few. After moving to Des Moines in 1978 Gene worked for ACCO and LeMar Industries.

Gene was a member of the Plymouth Congregational Church in Orient, A life member of the VFW, a member of the American Legion, served as a member on the BNA board in Beaverdale for 6 years and also the beautification committee. He was a volunteer in the community when ever something was happening. He volunteered at the city nursery planting flowers every Spring. And was voted in as Volunteer of the Year for the entire city of Des Moines in 2016. One of his proudest accomplishments.

Eugene is survived by his spouse Donna, his 4 daughters Barbara Mullin of Des Moines, Phyllis (Randy) Sackett of Orient, Terri (Bill) Carman of Des Moines and Kathy (Brian) Kieffer of Des Moines; 3 Grandchildren Christopher (Wendi) Mullin of Brigham City, Utah, Kirk (Debbie) Sackett of Ankeny and Alicia (Nick) Mogren of Des Moines, And Joe (Clarissa) Kieffer of Ankeny; 4 great Grandchildren Sammy Mullin of Brigham City ,Utah, Cameron Sackett of Ankeny, Mikayla Rae Mogren of Des Moines, and Shelby (Max) Valencia of Urbandale and 3 Great Great Grandchildren Aria, Zelda and Luna Valencia of Urbandale .

He is preceded in death by his father Harry and mother Mary, one grandson Jason Sackett and one great grandson Dillion Mullin.

Gene will be solely missed by both his communities of Orient where he grew up and Beaverdale where he spent the last 40 years of his life.