Donald Eugene BUEHLER

Donald Eugene Buehler, a life-long resident of Tacoma, Washington, 87, passed away Monday September 23, 2013. Donald was born in a small South Dakota town on September 10, 1926. Third son of Albin and Isabelle, he was a very patient man, someone who genuinely cared for his friends, neighbors and family. He gained the nickname Tink or Tinker because he was always tinkering around with things. Taking them apart and putting them back together.   Don understood and appreciated the power of prayer, and the need for reliance on God which helped him through the trying times in his life. He worked to instill a core belief system and Godly qualities as well as the love he personally held for his God into his children. This was not just completed through his words but mostly through his actions. He taught the value of loyalty and hard work to his family. He was pro union and pro Made in the USA. He consistently gave blood, and did the things he thought American’s should do to support our country. He had a sense of pride for the things he worked for and enjoyed sharing of him-self with others. Don served our country in the Army during WWII as an aircraft mechanic between 1942 and 1944. At age 19 he began his career at Carsteins Meat Packing Company which later became Hygrade Meat Packing Company where he exhibited pride in learning the many different functions of the business. He was well liked and respected. His coworkers affectionately called him Rocky until his retirement at age 63. After retirement, Don found several projects to keep him busy whether that meant mowing the lawn of his elderly neighbors or helping someone work on their car. He spent many years caring for his wife, Faith, who had suffered a stroke. Doing all he could to ease any discomfort she may have had. There was an incredible bond between these two that threaded through the years gaining strength and solidity. When he was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s , the one consistent person he remembered was his wife. Don had a good sense of humor. His smile was infectious and his heart was always in the right place. He had a soft spot for children and animals. He was a constant teacher to his children and grandchildren. And he has left behind a legacy to be proud of. Donald was preceded in death by his parents, Albin Goodwin and Sylvia Isabelle (nee Samuelson) Buller, Brothers Berton Buller(d.1925) and George Buehler(d. 1994) as well as his first wife, Ada (nee Reynolds)(d. 2006) and second wife of nearly 40 years, Faith Marie (nee Aldridge); Donald leaves behind his five children, Donald L. Buehler (of Avondale, AZ) , Sharon Cyphers (of Bremerton, WA) , Sandra Hubbard (of Tacoma,WA) , Jeannette Buehler (of Port Orchard,WA) and David Buehler(of Avondale,AZ) along with his four step daughters Melody Anderson (Of NV), Patti Reeves (Of WV), Lynn Hoffman(of WA) and Wendy West (of WA), his 8 grandchildren, 15 great grandchildren and 3 great great grandchildren. And the many others he considered friends and family including his longtime caregiver but mostly the dearest friend, Misty Nyman.