John L. Bucklen, age 88 of Cedar Bluff, Va., went home to be with the Lord on Monday, February 25, 2008. Born June 5, 1919 in Buchanan County, Va., he was the son of the late Joseph Cruise and Wattie Ellen Ratliffe Bucklen. He served in World War II in the Navy Sea Bees in the Pacific from 1942 to 1944. He was a coal miner, farmer, railroad worker, inventor, song writer and author. He was a loving father, husband, grandfather, and friend. John was a member of the American Legion, Tazewell County Chapter 31 D.A.V. and Casey-Shortt VFW Post 9640. John was a member of the Cedar Bluff Community Church.
In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his first wife, Thelma Kathleen (Faye) Bucklen; his second wife, May Vencille Bucklen; two sisters, Edgar Rife and Viola Horne; two brothers, Kermit Bucklen and Dillard Bucklen; four infant sisters and four infant brothers.
He is survived by three daughters, Betty Mullins Dye Bucklen of Cedar Bluff, Marlene Compton of Pounding Mill and Wanda Hicks of Cedar Bluff; one sister, Jeanette Cantrell of Whitewood; four grandchildren, Johnny Mullins and wife Susie of Pounding Mill, Jimmy Mullins and wife Teresa of Cedar Bluff, Michael Compton and wife LeTonya of Pounding Mill and Elisha Compton and fiancé Mike Elledge of Pounding Mill; seven great-grandchildren; five great-great-grandchildren; four stepchildren, Marie Jones and husband Don of Elberon, Helen Custalow and husband Leon of West Point, Ralph Vencille and wife Nan of Ceres and Jerry Vencill of Thompson Valley; and a host of family and friends.
Funeral services will be conducted at 1:00 p.m. Thursday, February 28, 2008 at Singleton Funeral Service Chapel at Cedar Bluff, Va., with Rev. Troy Lester, Rev. Tim Samples and Rev. Bill Shook officiating. Burial will follow in the Greenhills Memory Gardens at Claypool Hill, Va. Pallbearers will be Johnny Mullins, Jimmy Mullins, Mike Compton, Mike Elledge, Christopher Rose, Corey Jones and Derek Slate. Military graveside rites will be conducted by Casey-Shortt VFW Post 9640.
Honorary pallbearers will be Dr. L.Z. Claustro, Dr. Mario Stafanini, Dr. Toeya Piriz, Dr. James McVey and Gwenn Wilson.
The family will receive friends from 6 to 9 p.m. (today) Wednesday at Singleton Funeral Service at Cedar Bluff (findagrave.com)