Dan Bucha

Mr. Dan Lee Bucha, age 80 years of Niles, Michigan died peacefully at 5:49 a.m. on Saturday, August 26, 2017 at Saint Joseph Regional Medical Center in Mishawaka, Indiana following a brief illness.

He was born on March 13, 1937 in South Bend, Indiana Epworth Hospital to Jerry and Ruth H. (Baker) Bucha.  He was graduated from the former Niles Central High School, and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial Technology from Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo.  He enlisted in the United States Army, serving a tour of duty before being honorably discharged.  He was employed at the Bendix Corporation Aerospace Division in South Bend for thirty years prior to retirement, and has lived in Niles all of his life.

Dan was a member of the American Society of Tool Engineers.

His greatest interest was nature.  He was interested in a tropical “raintree” (Saman) which closes its leaves in rainy weather, and had carefully cultivated several in his woods.  He enjoyed fishing, and was a member of the American Casting Association where he taught classes in casting and angling, and won several competitions.  He also enjoyed hunting waterfowl at Christiana Lake, and trap shooting.

When not pursuing nature, Dan enjoyed music, beginning in high school where he played cornet in the marching band.  He regularly attended the concerts of the Saint Joseph (Michigan) Municipal Band, and always listened to the classical music broadcast on Andrews University’s radio station, WAUS.  He also enjoyed dancing, and had recently won a polka contest at The Whitcomb.

Dan was preceded in death by his parents, Jerry and Ruth Bucha; and is survived by his sister, Becky Lynne Bucha of Saint Joseph, Michigan and a brother, Douglas Don (& Janis) Bucha of Niles.

The funeral service for Dan Bucha will be at 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, August 31, 2017 at the Halbritter-Wickens Funeral Home in Niles with Pastor Michael Willis of Niles Avenue Baptist Church, Saint Joseph officiating.  The family will receive relatives and friends beginning at 5:00 p.m. on Thursday at the funeral home.  Contributions in memory of Dan may be made to The Salvation Army of Niles.