Rev. Donald Buck
Do you know Jesus? We can assure you — Rev. Donald Charles “Reverend Buck” Buck certainly did.
After a lifetime of faithful service to his Lord and Savior, Reverend Buck received his eternal reward late Thursday evening at Manderley Health Care in Osgood, Indiana, surrounded by the love of his family. His work on earth is finished, and he has gone home to be with his Heavenly Father.
Born on September 1, 1930, in San Jacinto, Indiana, Donald was the son of the late Chester D. and Elizabeth (Vinson) Buck. He graduated from Dupont High School in 1948 and went on to attend Georgetown College in Georgetown, Kentucky, before enlisting in the United States Air Force in 1951. While in the military, he served with honor and earned the National Defense Service Medal.
He later earned an associate degree in accounting, but his true calling came not from ledgers and numbers, but from the Word of God. A higher calling led him into ministry — a path he would walk faithfully for the rest of his life.
Reverend Buck began his pastoral career in 1972 at Hope First Baptist Church. He went on to serve at Brookfield Baptist (1975–1980), then Osgood First Baptist Church (1980–1987). In 1987, he accepted the call to Calvary Baptist Church in Springfield, Ohio, where he ministered for 13 years. He returned home to Osgood in 1990, where he continued serving for another decade before his first “retirement.” But true to Reverend Buck’s spirit, he continued ministering as interim pastor in Moores Hill, Madison, and Aurora, and ultimately returned full-time to Osgood First Baptist from 2007 to 2014.
He was a man who kept careful track of the lives he touched — always carrying a little black book filled with records of baptisms, weddings, funerals, and special services going all the way back to the beginning. He was equally proud of his family, always ready to share photos and stories of those he loved most.
He was a longtime member of the Osgood Lions Club, and in recognition of his lifelong service, he was honored as Pastor Emeritus of Osgood First Baptist Church and awarded the distinguished title of Sagamore of the Wabash, one of Indiana’s highest civilian honors.
On January 28, 1964, he married the love of his life, Shirley Sanford. This year, they celebrated 61 years of marriage. Throughout their life together, Reverend Buck often referred to Shirley as “my partner, my go-to person, my advisor, my companion, and my critique.” She was by his side through every season, and she held his hand as he peacefully entered eternity.
Reverend Buck is survived by his loving wife, Shirley; sons Jim D. Buck, Donald Buck Jr., and Leo (Liz) Smith; daughter Debra Horner; sister Nancy Hancock; 13 grandchildren; and numerous great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents; son-in-law Keith Cummins; grandson Chris Cummins; great-granddaughter Breah Cummins; and children Patrick M. Smith and Cindy Cummings.
A visitation was held on Sunday, August 10, from 2:00 PM to 6:00 PM at Neal’s Funeral Home in Osgood. A celebration of Reverend Buck’s life took place on Monday, August 11 at 10:00 AM at Osgood First Baptist Church, with Pastor Steve Allen and Pastor Brad Douglass officiating. Church doors opened at 9:00 AM. Burial followed at Haw Creek Cemetery in Hope, Indiana with Military Services being conducted by the Osgood American Legion.
Online condolences may be shared at nealsfuneralhome.net. Memorial contributions may be made to Osgood First Baptist Church or Interim Healthcare Hospice, in care of the funeral home.
