John Stephen Buechter, of Brinktown, was born on October 24, 1921, at Iberia, a son of Henry and Veronica (Otto) Buechter, and departed this life at 4:45 a.m., on Sunday morning, August 16, 2015, in the Maries Manor Care Center, Vienna. He had attained the age of 93 years, 9 months, and 23 days.

Mr. Buechter was united in marriage on June 14, 1947, at Brinktown, to the former Miss Marie Cecelia Kleffner, and to this union, six children were born. He was preceded in death by his wife, Marie, on September 2, 2002; his father, Henry; his mother, Veronica; one grandson, Matthew Brenneke; two granddaughters, Tiffany Buechter and Angel Buechter; one brother, Joseph Buechter; and one sister, Josephine Herx.

On September 25, 1942, at Jefferson Barracks, Mr. Buechter entered into active federal service in the Army of the United States and served until February 12, 1946, when he was honorably discharged at Jefferson Barracks, at the rank of Sergeant. During his military career, he served in the Military Police and was entitled to wear one Bronze Star for the Luzon Campaign, and the Good Conduct Medal. John was a man of excellent character and his "Honorable Discharge" is a testimonial of honest and faithful service to his country during World War II.

Mr. Buechter was a member of the Guardian Angels Catholic Church and the Lischwe-Brandel American Legion Post No. 654, both in Brinktown, and the Argyle Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 8047. During his working life, he was employed in various types of construction for fifteen years as well as being a lifelong farmer in Maries county.

Those left to mourn the passing of Mr. Buechter include: Four sons, Jim H. Buechter and wife, Irene, of Brinktown; Larry F. Buechter and wife, Carol, of Wardsville; John L. Buechter and wife, Tina, of Jefferson City; and Mark Buechter and wife, Misty, of New Bloomfield; two daughters, Betty A. Brenneke and husband, Jerry, of Jefferson City; and Mary L. Wheeler and husband, Steve, of Lohman; two sisters, Celia Luebbert of Loveland, Colorado; and Bonita Kleffner and husband, Henry, of Westphalia; four sisters-in-law, Cecelia Campbell of St. Louis; Rosemary Kleffner of North Augusta, North Carolina; Dorothy Kleffner of St. Louis; and Helen Kleffner of Vienna; seventeen grandchildren; three step-grandchildren; twenty-nine great-grandchildren; ten step-great-grandchildren; two step-great-great-grandchildren; nephews; nieces; and other relatives and friends.

A Veterans of Foreign Wars Service was held at 7:00 p.m., on Tuesday, August 18, 2015, followed by a Prayer Service led by the Rev. Matthew Flatley all in the Guardian Angels Catholic Church, Brinktown.

The Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated for Mr. Buechter at 10:00 a.m., on Wednesday, August 19, 2015, in the Guardian Angels Catholic Church, Brinktown, with the Rev. Matthew Flatley as the Celebrant.

Interment with full military honors was in the Guardian Angels Cemetery, Brinktown, under the direction of the Vienna Chapel of the Birmingham-Martin Funeral Homes. Pallbearers were Eric Buechter, Mike Buechter, Brian Buechter, Matthew Buechter, Stephen Wheeler, and Adam Brenneke. Honorary pallbearer was Calvin Clark.

Masses or Memorials to the Guardian Angels Cemetery Perpetual Care Fund are suggested by the family of Mr. Buechter with envelopes available at the Guardian Angels Catholic Church or the Vienna Office of the Birmingham-Martin Funeral Homes at 406 South Main Street.