James P. Buchele
Topeka ? Services for James P. Buchele, 61, Topeka, will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday at Grace Episcopal Cathedral, Topeka. Private inurnment will be in Ozro Cemetery, Hewins.
Mr. Buchele died Thursday, May 29, 2003, at Midland Hospice House in Topeka.
He was born Sept. 25, 1941, in Cedar Vale, the son of Paul and Helen (Fettig) Buchele. He graduated from Cedar Vale High School, received a bachelor’s degree in agricultural economics from Kansas State University in 1962, a juris doctorate from Washburn University in 1966 and a master’s degree in judicial studies from University of Nevada-Reno in 1988.
Mr. Buchele served as a state representative in the Kansas Legislature for four terms, from 1965 to 1972. During that time he also operated a private law practice in Topeka and served as Topeka city attorney from 1970 to 1972. He was an administrative assistant to U.S. Rep. Martha Keys from 1975 to 1977. In 1977, President Carter appointed him U.S. attorney for the District of Kansas, where he served until 1981. He became a district judge until his retirement in 1999. Since retirement, he sat as a senior judge on the Kansas Court of Appeals and served in mediation roles.
He was a member of the American Bar Assn., Kansas Bar Assn., American Trial Lawyers Assn., Kansas District Judges Assn., American Judicature Society, Topeka South Rotary Club, where he was president, Alpha Gamma Rho and Phi Alpha Delta fraternities, and Grace Episcopal Cathedral. He was a past president of Topeka Civic Theatre, Thunderbolt Track Club and Topeka Ballet.
He married Bonnie Cadwalader on Dec. 28, 1965. They later divorced. He married Paula Norden on Oct. 3, 1998. She survives of the home.
Other survivors include his mother, Topeka; a son, Brad, Lake Waukomis, Mo.; a daughter, Amy Buchele-Ash, Lawrence; two stepdaughters, Krista Norden, West Chester, Pa., and Jaelle Norden, Topeka; a brother, Kenneth, Emporia; a sister, Verona Buchele, Raytown, Mo.; and a granddaughter.
The family suggests memorials to Kansas State University Foundation, 2323 Anderson Ave., Suite 500, Manhattan 66056 or to Washburn University School of Law, 1700 S.W. College Ave., Topeka 66621.
Penwell-Gabel Mid Town Chapel is in charge of arrangements.