Thomas Buckham

Thomas C. Buckham, 70, of Keithsburg, died Wednesday, Oct. 25, 2006, at Trinity Medical Center, West Campus, Rock Island. Services are 1:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 28, at Dennison Funeral Home, Aledo. Burial is in Greenmound Cemetery, Keithsburg. Visiation is 4 to 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 27, at the funeral home with Masonic rites at 7 p.m. Memorials may be made to Keithsburg Volunteer Fire and Ambulance. He was born Aug. 8, 1936, in Des Moines, Iowa, son of of Henry and Ruth "Sunny" Conrad Buckham. He married Joyce Gayler in Burlington, Iowa. He attended Drake University, Des Moines, then transferred to Iowa State, Ames, Iowa, majoring in civil engineering. Tom had worked as a draftsman for Stanley-Meersmen, then as an estimator and did field work for Valley Construction. He most recently was a truck driver for Cessford Construction, Legrande, Iowa, at Biggsville Quary. After high school he served in the Iowa National Guard for nine years, being a commisioned second lieutenant. He was an avid outdoorsman, enjoying hunting and fishing. He loved the river. Tom collected guns and enjoyed shooting black powder. Tom's father taught him the art of woodworking and he made several beautiful pieces. He was a member of Keithsburg Masonic Lodge, where he was a 32nd degree Mason. Surviving are his wife, Joyce Buckham, Keithsburg; five children and spouses, Christa Miller, Des Moines, Gary Buckham, Washington, David Miller, Beardstown, Ill., Todd and Lori Buckham, Valdosta, Ga., Melissa and Joe Hann, Moline; eight grandchildren, Shannon and Kyle Buckham, Brandi Miller, Brittany Hayes, Kiersten, Logan and Callynn Hann, and Kaylee Buckham. He was preceded in death by his parents, and a sister, Barbara.