John A. Buchel

John Alexander Buchel, age 98, of Lansing, Michigan, passed away peacefully on October 20, 2026, surrounded by his family. John was born on October 9, 1928, in Lansing to the late Albert and Catherine Buchel. In his formative years, he resided at 629 W. Madison in Lansing. On October 4, 1952, John married Alice Elaine Misovye. They shared 71 wonderful years of marriage and were blessed with five children: Janet, Nancy, Therese, John, and Ted.

John graduated from St. Mary’s High School in 1946 and voluntarily enlisted in the U.S. Army, serving with the 695th Engineer Base Equipment Company in Japan. Upon his honorable discharge in 1947, John was awarded the WWII Victory Medal and the Army Occupational Medal Japan. Following his military service, he returned to Lansing and began a long career with Consumers Power Company as a service repairman. Deeply committed to his family, he loved hosting family gatherings alongside Alice and was fondly known for his famous “aged Manhattans.”

After 43 dedicated years with Consumers Power Company, John retired in 1991. Retirement opened up new chapters for John to enjoy life to the fullest. He spent his time working on his cottage in Mecosta, volunteering at his church, and serving as an election poll worker. He also devoted himself to caring for his own father in his final years, sharing wisdom with his grandchildren aboard his fishing boat on Round Lake, and happily crossing off items on Alice’s endless “to-do lists.”

The ultimate handyman, John could disassemble and repair any machine-including cars, snowmobiles, stoves, furnaces, and his beloved 1951 Evinrude motor. One of his proudest traits was passing this do-it-yourself legacy down to his sons.

John’s greatest passions included cottage life, baseball, history, and embodying true family virtues. Hearing the phrase “It’s Mecosta Time” meant an unforgettable family vacation at the cottage filled with boating, fishing, and snowmobiling. An avid reader of historical events, John was especially fascinated by the Revolutionary War, the Civil War, WWI, and WWII. He also had a lifelong passion for sports, particularly baseball. He played the game in school, in the Army, and in local and senior leagues. John shared this love with his family by attending Detroit Tigers games, even witnessing Denny McLain’s historic 30th win in 1968.

There was no better family man than John. He helped his children with school assignments, taught them to play sports, and spent countless weekends enjoying seasonal traditions together. He instilled in them the value of hard work. John was a humble, helpful man who served as a constant inspiration to his children and grandchildren.

John was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Alice Misovye; his parents, Albert and Catherine Buchel; his brothers, Robert and Gerald Buchel; and his sister, Esther Niver.

He is survived by his sister, Mary Easthope; his children, Janet (Bill) Sipola of Haslett, Nancy (José) Brown of Laingsburg, Therese Buchel Breuninger of Okemos, John (Jenny) Buchel of Franklin, Tennessee, and Ted (Maureen) Buchel of Howell; his grandchildren, Kyle (Paul) Desantis, Dana (Stevie) Whitesell, Katie Brown (Don) Thill, John Thomas (Amanda) Brown, Colleen Breuninger, Grant Buchel, Carrie Buchel, Heather (Gordy) Ewald, Ross (Sara) Buchel, and Anna (Tom) Haskin; and his great-grandchildren, Penny Brown Thill, and Kalihan, Kensley, and Beau DeSantis.

The Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, November 9, 2026, at the Church of the Resurrection, 1505 East Michigan Ave., Lansing, Michigan 48912.

Entombment will follow at St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery in Lansing, with a luncheon afterward at the Church of the Resurrection Parish Hall.

Visitation will be held from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, November 8, 2026, with a Rosary Service at 4:00 p.m. at the Estes-Leadley Greater Lansing Chapel, 325 W. Washtenaw St., Lansing, Michigan 48933. An additional visitation will take place one hour prior to the funeral mass on Monday at the church.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Old Newsboys, PO Box 14058, Lansing, Michigan 48901.

The family extends their heartfelt thanks to the wonderful caregivers and staff at The Willows of East Lansing and Gunnisonville Meadows Assisted Living. A special thank you is also extended to Courtney and Kevin of The Hospice Care Team.