Souderton Man, 91, Passes Away; Left High School to Join Marines in WW2

Obituary courtesy Huff and Lakjer Funeral Home.

Oscar Albert Bachman, 91, of Souderton, passed away Friday, August 22, 2016. He was the devoted husband of the late Ella B. Bachman, with whom he shared 68 years of marriage. Born in Hamburg, PA he was a son of the late Nevin, Sr. & Laura (Mengle) Bachman.

Mr. Bachman left high school to enlist in the USMC in 1942. He fought in the Pacific Theatre of WWII and participated in the invasion of Okinawa from April 1 – June 22, 1945. Following WWII, he finished his high school education, and moved to college level courses dealing with the mechanics of rotary work and flight. Mr. Bachman also fought in the Korean War from 1950-1953. He helped develop the first helicopter gunships and medivac units. He was awarded many citations for medivac rescues.

He returned home in 1953 and spent the next 8 years traveling between the Southern California USMCAS and eastern North Carolina Air Stations. He served one additional tour in Okinawa before retiring from military service in 1962. He and Ella enjoyed a long happy and healthy retirement filled with travel. Oscar returned to Pennsylvania in 1963 with his wife, Ella, and sons Donald, age 13, and James, age 2. He owned and operated Hamburg Taxi Services, held various management positions with local business, and retired from Hahn Motors of Hamburg. He was also a member of Bethany United Methodist Church in Hamburg, and St. John’s Masonic Lodge #3, F. & A.M. in New Bern, NC.

Surviving Oscar are his sons, Donald J. Bachman (Barbara) of Ocracoke, NC, James A. Bachman (Marlene) of Telford; his grandchildren, Christian and Andrea Bachman; his great grandchildren, Ryan T. and Emma Bachman; and his brother, Oliver Bachman (Jeanie), of Florida. He was preceded in death by 3 brothers.

Relatives and friends will be received by his family on Wednesday, August 31 after 10:00 a.m. in the Fellowship room of Souderton Mennonite Homes, 207 W. Summit St., Souderton and are invited to attend his funeral service at 10:45 a.m. in the Friendship Room. Interment will follow, with military honors, at 2:30 p.m. in St. John’s Cemetery, Hamburg.

Huff & Lakjer Funeral Home, Lansdale, is handling arrangements.

Patch file photo.