Buddie O’Neil Eschhofen, 79

Buddie O’Neil Eschhofen, 79 years, went home to meet his Lord on Monday, March 6, 2017 at Genesis HealthCare – Bryan Center, surrounded by his family and friends. Buddie was born on the family homestead, north of Bryan, to the late Louden Henry and Mildred (Reichman) Eschhofen. He graduated from Bryan High School with the class of 1955. He married Carol Castor on September 28, 1958 at First Lutheran Church in Bryan.

Buddie loved the land and farming was his passion. In addition to being a farmer, Buddie was also a foreman on the Spangler Excavating crew for 20 years. Buddie loved adventure and enjoyed snowmobiling, in the mountains of Colorado, moose and elk hunting in the state of Washington and in British Columbia, scuba diving in Florida and in the Bahamas, racing his motorcycle and traveling. He visited all fifty states as well as nearly every Canadian Province, Mexico and New Zealand.

As a champion of animals, he was actively involved with wild animal rehabilitation at Lovejoy’s Halfway House Wild Animal Rehabilitation Center. He was a life member of the Williams County Historical Society and especially enjoyed talking about farming to school children when they toured the Barn.

Buddie was a member of First Lutheran Church in Bryan, where he served in many capacities, including Council Member, Chair of the Property Committee and Head Usher. He was also very active in the Bryan Great Banquet Community from its inception until his health prevented him from active involvement.

Buddie is survived by his wife of 58 years, Carol Castor Eschhofen; three children, Christopher (Diana Moore) Eschhofen of Bryan, Anne (Jerry) Ankney of Ney and Amy (Robert) Wismer of Renton, Washington; four grandsons, Eric (Stefanie) Ankney of Defiance, Tyler (Jessica) Ankney of Henrico, Virginia, Nicholas (Emily) Eschhofen of Bryan and Jason Eschhofen of Memphis, Tennessee; four great-grandchildren, Justin, Codey and Parker Ankney and Joseph Eschhofen; three step-grandchildren, 11 step great-grandchildren and numerous step great-great-grandchildren; one sister, Aileene Christman of Bryan and special friend Jerrold Spangler of Bryan. Buddie was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Rex and Lavon Eschhofen as well as two sisters-in-law, Vivian and Barbara Eschhofen.

Visitation for Buddie Eschhofen will be held on Monday, March 20, 2017 from 3:00 – 8:00 p.m. in the Oberlin-Turnbull Funeral Home-Greenisen Chapel, 225 East High Street, Bryan. Memorial services for Buddie will be held at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, March 21, 2017 in First Lutheran Church, 210 North Cherry Street, Bryan, with Pastor Dennis Ladd and Pastor Richard Franks officiating. Visitation will also be held one hour prior to the service on Tuesday at the church. Private burial wiill be made in Shiffler Cemetery.

Those planning an expression of sympathy are asked to consider memorial contributions be made to First Lutheran Church, 201 North Cherry Street, Bryan, Ohio 43506 or to the Bryan Great Banquet Community, C/O First Presbyterian Church, 506 Oxford Drive, Bryan, Ohio 43506.