Virgil (Pete) Buckner, longtime resident of Marion, died at his home in Langley, Okla., on Thursday.

Virgil was born in Mountain Home, Ark., on June 11, 1927.

Virgil served his country in the U.S. Navy. He retired from the Board of Education in Wichita, Kansas where he served as a custodian for many years.

Virgil was preceded in death by his son Herman Buckner.

He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Doris Buckner; daughters Sara Jackson of Langley, Okla., and Connie Rudkin of Belle Plaine; son Victor Buckner of Marion; seven grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.

Virgil chose cremation and a graveside memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Sept. 14 at Marion Cemetery. A memorial has been established with Mayes County Hospice of Oklahoma.