Erwin Buchanan

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Erwin J. Buchanan, 94, of Jefferson City died Thursday, March 1, 2012, at Adams Street Place.

He was born March 28, 1917, in Merriam, Kan., son of William Floyd and Elsie Garst Buchanan.

Erwin was a 1934 graduate of Marshfield, Mo., High School. He graduated in 1938 from Drury College in Springfield, Mo., with a bachelor of arts degree in math and physics, and in 1965 earned a master's degree in personnel services and vocational counseling from Southern Illinois University.

He served in the Army Air Corps during World War II in the China and India theaters. During his military career, he attended military school at the University of Chicago, earning an associate degree. In later years he was a member of American Legion Post 5.

He worked for the Missouri Department of Education, Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, first as a counselor in Cape Girardeau, then as a senior staff manager in Jefferson City, until retiring in 1981.

Erwin was a very active member of First Christian Church where he served in many leadership positions and enjoyed participating in a wonderful Sunday school class and many church activities.

He was a faithful husband and father for two children. He was actively involved in youth sports such as managing baseball teams and serving as president of Cape Babe Ruth League. He enjoyed woodworking projects, playing duplicate bridge, working crossword puzzles and watching his favorite sports teams, the Cardinals and the Tigers.

Erwin was united in marriage to Lillian Darby on July 24, 1943, in St. Louis.

Survivors include his wife; a son, Rich Buchanan of Matthews, N.C.; two sisters, Betty Spriggs of Marshfield and Maxine Thomas of Springfield; and three grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by a daughter, Darby Anne Buchanan; a sister, Dorothy Berke; and two brothers, Max and Carl Buchanan.

The funeral was held Monday at First Christian Church, with the Rev. Donald E. Carter officiating. Interment with full military honors was in Hawthorn Memorial Gardens.

Expressions of sympathy may be made to First Christian Church.

Houser-Millard Funeral Home in Jefferson City was in charge of arrangements.

Condolences may be left for the family online at www.millardfamilychapels.com.