Bernell L. Bucky Buckmaster, age 72, of 455 Idaho Ave. SE, Huron, SD, died Monday, February 9, 2009 at the Huron Regional Medical Center.

His funeral service will be 10:30 a.m., Saturday, February 14, at the First Presbyterian Church in Huron. Burial will be 2:00 p.m. on Saturday at the Lake Preston Cemetery in rural Lake Preston.

Visitation will be Friday, February 13, from 1-8 p.m. at the Welter Funeral Home, with the family present from 6-8 p.m. Friday night, and a prayer service at 7 p.m.; or one hour prior to the service at the church on Saturday.

Bernell L. Buckmaster, the son of Edwin and Arlett (Wilde) Buckmaster, was born on May 13, 1936 in Lake Preston, SD. Bucky served his country in the U. S. Army and was honorably discharged. Bucky married Phyllis Oestreich on July 4, 1961. He worked as a bartender and as a truckdriver for a number of years before retiring.

Bucky was a longtime member of the Huron Veterans Council. He enjoyed playing pool. Bucky was captain of his pool team, The Oldtimers, and led them to a city championship. He also enjoyed fishing and spending time with his family and friends.

Grateful for having shared his life are his 3 sons, Bernell Jr., Kevin, and Jason Buckmaster, all of Huron, SD; daughter Cindy Root and her friend Jim Privett, Huron, SD; 6 grandchildren; 1 great-granddaughter and 1 great-grandson on the way; his special friend, Linda Gortmaker; 3 brothers, Arlen Buckmaster, Manchester, SD, Danny Wilde, Huron, SD, and Randy (Roxy) Wilde, DeSmet, SD; 2 sisters, Bernetta Nelson, Lake Preston, SD, and Arlene (Darwin) Lee, Greeley, CO; his step-mother, Verna Buckmaster; his half- brothers and sisters; his many nieces and nephews; and his dog Tiny.

Bucky was preceded in death by his parents; his step-father, Merwin Wilde, and his brother-in-law, Leslie Nelson.