Earl George Buchenroth, 84, of DeGraff, passed away Thursday, May 21, 2026, at Otterbein Green Hills Senior Life Community, surrounded by his family. Earl was born on July 31, 1941, in Bellefontaine, Ohio, to the late Russell Detrick and Mildred Mae (Gantt) Buchenroth. He married the love of his life, Catherine (Kaye) Faye Garvey on September 3, 1960, and she preceded him in death on November 18, 2009.

Earl is survived by his children: Rusty (Lori) Buchenroth of DeGraff, Kathy (Shaun) Predmore of St. Paris, Ronald (Malinda) Buchenroth of DeGraff, and Michaella Faulkenberry of Sidney. He is survived by grandchildren: Erica Bane, Andy (Sarah) Bane, Shannon (Curtis) Shafer, Clinton (Breanna) Buchenroth, Clay (Jade Wical) Buchenroth, Kaytlin Predmore, Garrett Predmore, Zach (Aubrey) Bane, Allison Buchenroth, and Levi Buchenroth. Earl is also survived by 8 great grandchildren, and 2 great-great grandchildren. Along with his parents and beloved wife, Earl was preceded in death by his daughter Kimberly (Kim) Kaye Buchenroth, and granddaughter, Tara Bane.

Earl graduated in 1960 from Washington High School in Lewistown. He grew up on the family farm, where he developed a lifelong passion for farming, tractors and rural life. Earl worked for Standard Oil in Bellefontaine, The Box Factory in DeGraff and Airstream. He also drove semi for Straker Trucking, which allowed him the opportunity to travel and take in many places and sights across the way. Earl was a strong man, who instilled a strong work ethic in his children, which was also passed to his grandchildren. He could do anything, fix anything and learn any skill he put his hands, heart and mind towards. He was known for his exceptional skill as a welder and fabricator, always able to design, repair, or build just about anything. He truly had a gift with his hands and excelled as a machinist, in gunsmithing, woodworking and leather working, and his craftsmanship was evident in all he did. Earl had a rich knowledge of history, and a remarkable memory, often recalling family birthdays and important dates across generations with incredible accuracy. He enjoyed hunting, especially coon hunting, and also tracking fox with his good friend Bob Dague. He had a lifetime love for hot rods, motorcycles and fast cars, and never outgrew his need for speed.

Earl is a member of Mt. Tabor Church of God. He gave his heart to God as a young man and remained faithful in his walk with the Lord throughout his life. His enduring love for God shaped the way he lived, loved, and cared for others. He always had a smile on his face, an “I love you” and sometimes that ornery look with that glint in his eye. Earl thoroughly loved and enjoyed all the ones who would faithfully visit him in his final years, and it truly meant the world to him. The family would like to extend a special thank you to all the nurses and aides at Green Hills who took such good care of Earl with so much love, affection and kindness.

Visitation will be from 4-7 p.m. on Wednesday, May 27, 2026, at Sanford Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 210 W. Hayes Street in DeGraff. Brother Nathan Price will officiate a funeral service at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, May 28th at the funeral home. Burial will follow in Greenwood-Union Cemetery in DeGraff, Ohio.

SANFORD FUNERAL HOME & CREMATION SERVICES, DEGRAFF is honored to care for Earl’s family and encourages anyone to share a fond memory or kind message with the family at www.sanfordfuneralhome.com.