J. Alvin Buchanan, 73, Willshire, died at 10:53 p.m. March 2, 2014, at his residence.

He was born Dec. 2, 1940, in Mercer County, to Claude and Virginia Eley Buchanan. On April 23, 1961, he married Helen P. Van Over in the Southside Church of Christ in Fort Wayne, Ind., and she died July 25, 2011.

Survivors include two daughters, Lynette Hirschy, Willshire, and Louise Buchanan, Willshire; two sisters, Vivian (Jack) Gray, Vero Beach, Fla., and Shirley (Norman) Huffman, Celina; a brother,George Buchanan, Panama; three grandchildren, Sillena Hirschy, Ellicia Hirschy and Lauren Buchanan; and three great-grandchildren, Paige Hirschy, Braxton Hirschy and Havanna Hirschy.

He was also preceded in death by a daughter, Lori Ann Buchanan.

He was a member of the Fort Recovery Church of Christ and a former member of the Willshire Sportsman Club. He was an avid outdoorsman and enjoyed gardening.

He had been employed by Dolco Packaging in Decatur, Ind., for 25 years and with Acrux Investigating in Van Wert as a security guard for 13 years.

Funeral services are 11 a.m. Friday at Zwick & Jahn Funeral Home, Decatur, the Rev. Keith Enterline officiating. Burial will be in Willshire Cemetery.

Calling is 2-4 and 5-8 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home.

Memorials may be directed to the Fort Recovery Church of Christ.

Condolences may be made online at www.zwickjahn.com.