Charles Buchanan Schuler, 73, Ottawa, a former Osawatomie resident, died Friday, Nov. 11, 2005, at Ottawa Village Manor in Ottawa.

He was born Nov. 8, 1932, in Garnett, the son of John P. and Nellie M. Smith Schuler. The family moved to Osawatomie when he was a small child, and he grew up there, graduating from Osawatomie High School in 1950.

He married Betty Cole, a former area resident, on March 20, 1957, in Oklahoma. They became the parents of two children.

Mr. Schuler spent his working life in the U.S. Army. He had a 22-year career, serving in occupied France, Germany and two tours in Vietnam. He was stationed in Berlin for a time. He retired from the Army at Fort Riley, Kan. He received many service awards. He worked briefly for the railroad between military assignments.

Following the death of his wife, Betty Schuler, and his son, Charles Schuler Jr., both in August 2000, he moved from Manhattan to Ottawa to live with his daughter and later at the nursing facility.

Before his illness, he liked to work with wood. He could look at a picture and then make something.Surviving are his daughter, Jewell Cafferty of Ottawa; two brothers, J.C. Schuler of Kansas City, Kan., and Bill Schuler of Edgerton; and a sister, Diane Johns of Osawatomie.

Graveside services were today (Monday) at the Paola Cemetery.

Memorials have been established in his name to Midland Hospice or the Alzheimer's Foundation, in care of Wilson and Son Funeral Home, 305 N. Pearl St., Paola, KS 66071.