Published on November 14, 2025 3:08 pm
Last Updated on November 14, 2025 3:08 pm
Earl Gordon Buckner, 86, of Yale, Illinois passed away at 7:29 p.m. on Monday, November 10, 2025, at Heartland Nursing Center in Casey, Illinois.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, November 17, 2025, at the Barkley Funeral Chapel in Greenup, Illinois. Visitation will be held from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Sunday, November 16, 2025, also at the funeral chapel. Masonic Rites will be given at 6:00 p.m. following the visitation. The burial will be at the Hickory Cemetery, New Hope Cumberland Presbyterian Church, rural Yale, Illinois following the funeral service.
Earl was born on April 23,1939 to Allen Roscoe and Flossie Rae (Parcel) Buckner. He married Catherine Elizabeth McReaken on July 19, 1959. Earl and Cathie made their home on the Parcel homestead in Jasper County Illinois. They began married life operating the family farm at this location and in Clark County. Together they managed field crops and livestock. They were involved in raising and training Quarter Horses and spending time competing in shows across the country. They were active members of the Casey Saddle Club. Additionally, they managed the annual Martinsville Fair Quarter Horse Show over a few years, a show that was recognized as a top Quarter Horse Show in the area. As their family grew with the addition of three young daughters, Earl and Cathie began operating a trucking company. Starting by hauling ear corn to distilleries in Kentucky and local area grain hauling; then growing to multiple trucks operating from coast to coast. This company continued for several years. Eventually, Earl downsized a bit and continued to be the primary driver with Cathie as his favorite co-pilot intermittently for many years. During this time, he was a Bekins owner-operator for several years. He was recognized more than once by that company for miles driven and miles driven accident free. Earl never met a stranger. Along with all of his friends and family here at home, he met and made many more friends through trucking from coast to coast. Upon slowing down working a bit more, he would drive off and on for Grandville Township. Earl was a life-long member of the New Hope Cumberland Presbyterian Church where he had served as an elder. He was also a member of Masonic Lodge 216.
He was preceded in death by his wife Catherine Elizabeth McReaken; daughter Karen Sue Taylor; son-in-law James “Jim” Taylor; parents Allen and Flossie Buckner; Father & Mother-in-law Dave & Irene McReaken.
He is survived by daughters Karla (Randy) Jones of Blue Ridge, TX & Kris (Jeff) Birch of Yale, IL; grandchildren Travis (Paige Marnell) Jones; Garrett (Ali) Jones; Jeremy (Jenny) Taylor; Elizabeth (Ryan) Will; Allen (Keidrah) Taylor & Jessie Birch; great-grandchildren Hazel Taylor, Emily, Lyle, Jeffery, Noah, Da’Miour & Clara Will.
Memorials may be made to the Oblong Children’s Christian Home (4094 East 1050th Ave., Oblong, IL 62449) or the Shriners Children’s Hospital (PO Box 947765 Atlanta, GA 30394)
Online condolences can be expressed at www.barkleyfuneralchapels.com