James R. Bucher

James R. Bucher, age 87 of Bendersville, died Sunday, January 31, 2016 at Gettysburg Hospital. He was born Saturday, July 7, 1928 in Gettysburg, the son of the late Curtis and Rosanna Caroline (Routsong) Bucher. Jim graduated from Biglerville High School in 1946. He started his career in the fruit industry at Slaybaugh Brothers Nursery. He was formerly employed by Adams County Nursery for 44 years. He had also worked for Hutton Orchards as farm manager for 10 years. Jim, along with his wife Sarah, operated Bucher and Conover Farm Market in Two Taverns. During his retirement, Jim sold fruit trees for CO Nursery of Wenatchee, WA for 22 years. Jim loved to play baseball. After high school, he played for Dillsburg and Arendtsville as a first baseman. Jim was scouted by the St. Louis Cardinals and Chicago White Sox, but could not accept the invitation for try-outs. He was a member of Christ Lutheran Church in Aspers, where he served as superintendant of the Sunday school for many years. Jim served on the Bendersville Borough Council for 38 years. He was a member of the Upper Adams Lions Club for 50 years, Adams Co. Fruit Growers Association where he served as president and on the Farm Show Committee, a board member of the South Mountain Fair Association, a life member of the Bendersville Fire Company, Biglerville Historical Society and a sponsor of the National Apple Museum. He earned many top honors for Adams County at the PA Farm Show and the South Mountain Fair. Jim and Sarah attended home Penn State Nittany Lion Football games for 27 years. Jim also loved to hunt, trap, and fish and enjoyed the great outdoors. He and Sarah golfed together for many years. Jim loved collecting antiques. He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Sarah L. (Conover) Bucher. He is survived by daughter, Stephanie A. and husband Kurt Janke of Mesa, AZ, son, Greg A. Bucher of Bendersville and grandson, Luke R. Bucher of Palm Bay, FL. He was preceded in death by his brother Richard Bucher. Professional services are entrusted to Dugan Funeral Home, Inc. Funeral Services will be held at 2:00 PM Saturday, February 6 at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 126 Church Street, Bendersville with Reverend B. Wesley Smith, III officiating. Interment will be in Bendersville Cemetery. A viewing will be held on Friday, February 5, from 6:00 to 8:00 PM at Dugan Funeral Home, Inc. 111 S. Main Street, Bendersville. Memorial contributions may be made to Upper Adams Lions Club c/o Ronald Grance, 30 Clearview Lane, Biglerville, PA 17307 and Bendersville Fire Company, P.O. Box 254, Bendersville, PA 17306.