Craig Buckner

Craig Edward Buckner, 90, of Ozark, Mo. and formerly of Coffeyville, Kansas passed away peacefully on April 24, 2022, in Rogersville, Mo. He was surrounded by a loving family.

Craig was born December 6, 1931, in Coffeyville to Robert F. and Gladys N. (Craig) Buckner. He attended Garfield Elementary and then graduated in 1949 from Field Kindley High School where he was active in football and also played clarinet in The Highlighters Dance Band.

He joined the Air Force in June of 1952 and served his country in Korea until returning to the states in 1953. He was stationed at Webb Air Force Base in Big Spring, Texas until June of 1956.

In 1958 Craig married Barbara (Wilkinson) DeHaven. Barbara had 4 children from a previous marriage and Craig raised and loved them as his own. Craig and Barbara had 2 more children together.  They lived on a farm just East of South Coffeyville, Ok. where Craig raised cattle. There, with the help of the family, he built “The Buckner Cabin” just down the road from the farmhouse. Many wonderful memories were made at that log cabin where he would gather with his children, grandchildren, great grandchildren and many, many friends over the years.  Barbara passed away in 2004.

He worked part time at the family furniture store in Coffeyville. Later he and his brother Bob took over the family business until it closed in 1990. Craig also worked part time selling real estate.

He married Kitty Long in 2006 but later parted ways.

He was a member of First Baptist Church in Coffeyville until moving to Missouri in 2017. There he joined Riverdale Baptist Church in Nixa, Mo.  Craig was a caring, gentle soul whose love for the Lord was apparent as he was loved by everyone he knew.

Craig also loved music, and many remember him playing his clarinet at different venues around the area.  He always put his faith in our Lord and his family first.

Craig was preceded in death by his loving wife Barbara Buckner; father Robert Buckner; mother Gladys Buckner and brother Bob Buckner.

Craig is survived by 3 daughters: Sharlyn Gates of Williamston, Mi, Jan Owens of Wilmington, NC and Cindy Powell and husband Warren of Coffeyville, Ks. 3 sons; David DeHaven and wife Susan of Broken Arrow, Ok, Bob DeHaven of Wichita, Ks. and Chris Buckner and wife Liz of Ozark, Mo.; 14 grandchildren; David Drews and wife Tisha, Darrick Drews and wife Shawna, Annie Batten and husband Eric, Jill Rolen and husband Kevin, Jamie Cleland and husband Jared, Robin Gowen, Johnnie, Nick and Michael Williams, Craig Powell and wife Amber, Brian Powell and wife Caitlin, Michelle Wilson and husband Lee, Cass Head and wife Kaycee and Fulton Buckner and fiancée Hannah; and many great grandchildren.

A celebration of life will be held on Friday, April 29, 2022, at 1:30 p.m. at First Baptist Church, 300 W. 9th Street, Coffeyville, Kansas with Pastor Dick Smith officiating. Services will be streamed live from the church website www.firstbaptistcoffeyville.com . The family will receive friends on Thursday, April 28, 2022, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Ford-Wulf-Bruns Chapel, 2405 Woodland Ave., Coffeyville, Kansas. The family has requested memorial contributions be made payable to either, First Baptist Church or Terrace Home Health Hospice, 4650 S. Nation Ave. Suite D-2, Springfield, MO 65810.  Contributions may be left in care of Ford-Wulf-Bruns.  To leave an online condolence or to share a memory visit www.fordwulfbrunschapel.com