William C. Buehler

Poland - William C. "Bill" Buehler, 91, died Thursday afternoon, January 3, 2019 at his home, surrounded by his family.

Mr. Buehler was born June 19, 1927 in Salem, a son of Lawrence and Mavis (Hill) Buehler.

He was a 1945 graduate of Salem High School and shortly after graduation enlisted in the United States Navy. Stationed in Guam and Saipan, he was honorably discharged in July of 1946 with the rank of Seaman First Class and received a Victory Medal and the Asiatic Pacific Area Campaign Medal. Returning to the area after his military service, he attended Kent State University until transferring to Youngstown College, receiving his bachelor's degree in electrical engineering.

Mr. Buehler worked most of his career as an electrical engineer for Republic Steel. After the steel mills began closing, he opened his own consulting firm call Relheub Engineering Consultants, operating the firm until his retirement in the 1980's. After he and his wife retired, they purchased a home in Ft. Myers Beach, Florida, where they enjoyed wintering for more than 30 years.

He was a lifelong and active member of Good Hope Lutheran Church in Boardman, where he served as an usher, Sunday School teacher, and former council president. Active within the community, he was a member and past president of the Boardman Lions, lifetime member of the Saxon Club, lifetime member of the Association of Iron and Steel Engineers, member of the Youngstown Shrine Club, and the American Legion in Ft. Myers. He was also a member of the Mahoning Valley Industrial Management Association (MVIMA), where he served as a past president and was instrumental in helping build Lake MVIMA at Camp Fitch.  A 32 degree Mason of the Scottish Rite, Bill was a member of the Perry Lodge #185 F&AM in Salem and received his 70 year pin this past year.

An adventurous man, Bill had his pilot's license, was a certified HAM operator and a certified scuba diver. He had a passion for NASCAR and auto racing, building his own stock cars and racing them at the Canfield Speedway and Dobbies Speedway in Marietta.  He also enjoyed bowling and golfing throughout the years, especially in the Saxon Golf League and had a hole-in-one at the Ft. Myers Beach Golf Club.

He is survived by his wife, the former Ivadale "Skip" Skipton, whom he married November 27, 1954; two children, George (Debbie) Buehler of Montgomery, TX and Laurie (Jeff) Wellington of Poland; sister, Catherine (the late Wilford ) Sayers of Fairview Park; four grandchildren, Benjamin Buehler of Montgomery, TX, Jennifer (Heath) Brothers of Cincinnati, Samantha (John) Abramo of Danville, CA, and Tierney Wellington of Pittsburgh; two great-grandchildren, Mallory Abramo and Madison Brothers; many special nieces and nephews; and Paula (John) DeMart of Boardman, whom he loved as his own daughter.

In addition to his parents, Bill was preceded in death by two grandsons, Jared and Michael Buehler.

Family and friends will be received on Friday from 4-7 p.m. at the Cunningham-Becker Funeral Home, 270 N. Main St., Poland and Saturday from 10-10:45 a.m. at the Good Hope Lutheran Church, 98 Homestead, Boardman. A funeral service will follow on Saturday at 11 a.m. at the church with Pastor Bob Quaintance officiating.

The family would like to express their appreciation and thank Bill's caregivers, April, Charlie, Iris, Lubertha, Quala, and Umme of ABW Agency and Hospice of the Valley for the wonderful care they gave to Bill.

Please visit www.beckerfuneralhomes.com to send condolences.