Gerald K. "Gerry" Buchen , 91, of East Moline, IL, passed away Friday, January 24, 2025, at OSF-St. Francis Medical Center, Peoria, IL.

Visitation for friends and family will be 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Thursday, January 30th, at the Van Hoe Funeral Home, East Moline. Private funeral services will be Friday, January 31st. Interment will be in Greenview Memorial Gardens, East Moline. Memorials may be made to the Telecom Pioneers of America or to the Friends of the East Moline Public Library.

Gerald was born May 27, 1933, in Peoria, Illinois, to Chester and Doris (Roloff) Buchen. He married Barbara J. Nelson on January 17, 1954, in Peoria, IL. She preceded him in death on January 22, 2014.

Gerry was a U.S. Army veteran of the Korean War. He was employed with Illinois Bell and retired on March 1, 1990, following 35 years of service.

He was a member of the Telephone Pioneers of America, East Moline American Legion, Post 227, and was very involved with the Lion's Club for many years.

Surviving are his daughters, Susie (Tom) Snyder, Moline, IL, Julie (Rory) Mauch, South Bend, IN, Laurie (Bill) Brasche, LeClaire, IA; sons, Mike (Carol) Buchen, Holly Ridge, NC, and John (Timshel) Buchen, Middlebury, IN; eight grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren.

Gerry was preceded in death by his wife, Barbara; parents, Chester and Doris; and sister, Joyce Goldhammer.

Online condolences may be left for the family at vanhoe.com