Cathy Buckner

Catherine (Cathy) Marie (Cruse) Buckner, born April 17, 1947, to Homer and Clara Witt Cruse, passed away on October 18, 2026, surrounded by her family at her side at her son’s house.

Cathy was the first-born daughter of seven children.  She was born in Brighton, Missouri.   She spent a few years in Texas with her husband and young children but lived most of her life in the Walnut Grove, Missouri area.   She loved making cakes or desserts for everyone she loved.  She spent most of her career decorating cakes at local grocery stores.  She loved doing genealogy and was able to research people and their past before people knew what was going on.  

She married the love of her life, Charles (Charlie) L. Buckner Sr., on June 20, 1975, in Miami, Oklahoma. They spent 51 wonderful years together and were blessed with two children Christy and CJ, four grandchildren Kaylie, Kelsie, Kinsie, and Katherine and three great-grandchildren on the way.  Cathy gave her life to the Lord and was saved on September 23, 2026.  Even though she was in the last few weeks of her life, the change within her short time was so beautiful and peaceful. Cathy will be missed by her family and friends.  She will always hold a special place in everyone’s hearts that knew and loved her. 

Cathy was preceded in death by her father, Homer Cruse; her mother, Clara Witt Cruse; her father-in-law, Frank Buckner; her mother-in-law Flossie Dickson Buckner; her brother, David Cruse; her sister and brother-in-law, Carolyn and Jack Kenworthy; her sister and brother-in-law, Carlene and Jim Blankenship, brother-in-law Aaron Felty, sister-in-law Anna Sue Pequignot; brother-in-law William Buckner; her niece Sheila Johnson; her nephew David Furry.

Cathy is survived by her husband, Charles (Charlie) Buckner Sr. of the home; her daughter, Christy (David) Gott of Walnut Grove, MO; her son, C.J. (Susan) Buckner of Aldrich, MO; her granddaughter, Kaylie (Trevor) Wheeler of Marshfield, MO; her granddaughter, Kelsie (Seth) Crites of Walnut Grove, MO; her granddaughter, Katherine McDougal of Republic, MO; her granddaughter, Kinsie Gott of Walnut Grove, MO; her sister, Diane (Dennis) Essary of Willard, MO; her brother, Michael Cruse of Willard, MO; her sister, Norma Felty of Willard, MO; her brother-in-law George (Kathy) Buckner of Webb City, MO; her sister-in-law Donna Overman of Kansas; and several nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, as well as many other family members and friends.

Services to celebrate Cathy’s life will be held Saturday, October 24, 2026, at 10:00 am at Wilson-Griffin Funeral Home in Walnut Grove, Missouri.