Walter "Buck" Bumgarner, age 80, of Portage passed away Wednesday, March 11, 2015 surrounded by his family. He was born on October 9, 1934 in Hickory, North Carolina to the late Walter and Ruth Bumgarner. On April 6, 1957, at the Garyton Evangelical Covenant Church, Buck married the love of his life, Lorna Collins. He was a member of the board for Garyton Evangelical Covenant Church which is now Portage Evangelical Covenant Church. He retired from U.S. Steel in 1984 where he worked as a machinist. Buck was an avid gun enthusiast and member of the National Rifle Association. He enjoyed camping and traveling and will always be remembered as a dedicated husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend to those who knew him.

Buck is survived by his beloved wife of 57 years, Lorna Bumgarner; sons, Vincent (Charlotte) Bumgarner, Gregory (Kerry) Bumgarner; daughters, Susan (David) Elliott, Patricia (Michael) Najar; grandchildren, Brianna, Bradley, Matthew, Megan, Ryan, Melanie, Ashley, Nathan, Josh, David, Stevie; great grandchildren, Lillian and Hunter; brother, Jerry Bumgarner; sister, Ann Whitener.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Walter and Ruth Bumgarner; brother, Richard Bumgarner; sisters, Faye Lovich and Frances Johnson.

A funeral service for Buck will take place Monday, March 16, 2015 at 11:00 am at Rees Funeral Home, Olson Chapel, 5341 Central Avenue, Portage with Pastor Michaile Broadnax officiating. He will be laid to rest at Blake Cemetery in Portage. Visitation will be held Sunday, March 15, 2015 from 3:00 pm to 7:00 pm at the funeral home. For more information, please call (219) 762-3013. Online condolences may be shared with the family at www.reesfuneralhomes.com.