- Date Of Birth: January 8, 1935
- Date Of Death: February 28, 2016
- State: Illinois
George Buckman, 81, of Spring Valley, passed away at home on February 28, 2016, as was his wish, following a brief battle with cancer. His beloved wife of more than 57 years, Elaine, was by his side and his final days were filled with visits from family and friends.
Mr. Buckman was born to Maurice and Miriam Mary (Applebaum) Buckman in Spring Valley on January 8, 1935, and graduated from Hall High School in 1952. He was a standout Red Devils football player. He went on to further his education and win football scholarships to LaSalle-Peru-Oglesby Junior College (now Illinois Valley Community College), where he played on the 1953 State Championship team, and Iowa State University. He graduated from Iowa State in 1956.
Mr. Buckman married Elaine Grossman on June 29, 1958 in Chicago.
After college, Mr. Buckman returned to Spring Valley with his bride and took over Buckman Iron and Metal. The company was founded in 1902 by Mr. Buckmans grandfather, Charles Buckman, who had been a peddler, and then run by his father. Mr. Buckman grew the operation into a successful business with locations in LaSalle, Ottawa and Mendota.
Mr. Buckman was a dedicated member of the Spring Valley community, volunteering a great deal of time to local causes and organizations. He was a member of the Illinois Valley Community Hospital Board for more than 35 years and served as Board President for seven years. He also served on the IVCH Foundation Board. In 1994, he established the annual Buckman Family Employee of the Year Award, to honor the extraordinary level of care and caring provided by hospital staff members to patients, including him.
In addition, he was a 35-year member of the Spring Valley Police Pension Board and a 60-year member and Past President of the Spring Valley Rotary. He also served on the Board of Directors of Illinois Valley Bancshares, the holding company for Colonial Bank in Peru, IL, and served as a Board Member, Secretary and Treasurer of Peru Radiator Manufacturing Company. He was also a 32nd-degree Mason, a Shriner, and a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, the Loyal Order of Moose, the Union League, the Standard Club and the Chicago Yacht Club. Mr. Buckman was an accomplished ballroom dancer. He and Elaine enjoyed taking to the dance floor at many functions for these clubs and organizations.
The Buckmans are members of four synagogues: Congregation Shaarei Tzadek in Spring Valley, Temple Bnai Moshe in LaSalle, Temple Sinai in Chicago and Congregation Agudas Achim in Peoria. In his retirement years, Mr. Buckman enjoyed relaxing at his pond on his farm.
In addition to his wife, Elaine, Mr. Buckman is survived by his four children and their spouses, Marcie (Larry) Goldstein of Wilmette, Terry (Amy) Buckman of Bala Cynwyd, PA, Nora (Ed) Purcell of Crystal Lake and Arnold (Jewel) Buckman of Princeton; eight grandchildren, Marlo and Jay Goldstein, Jason, William and Micah Buckman, Zoe Purcell and Ava and Lilah Buckman; one brother, Dr. Gerald (Rita) Buckman and his cousin, whom he considered like a brother, Samuel (Paula) Pfeffer, Esq.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
