Jim and Carmen Rogers, owners of Roaring River Concessions, toss flowers into Roaring River in honor of long-time state parks employee Elise Buchman. About 25 people attended a vigil for Buchman, park office administrative assistant, on Sunday, sharing memories, lighting candles and tossing flowers into the river in her honor. Kyle Troutman/ktroutman@cassville-democrat.com
Jim and Carmen Rogers, owners of Roaring River Concessions, toss flowers into Roaring River in honor of long-time state parks employee Elise Buchman. About 25 people attended a vigil for Buchman, park office administrative assistant, on Sunday, sharing memories, lighting candles and tossing flowers into the river in her honor.
Charles Butler, right, fiancé of the late Elise Buchman, speaks about his love and her life during a vigil at Roaring River State Park on Sunday. Buchman was an administrative assistant at the park office for many years and was beloved by park-goers who interacted with her. Helping organize the vigil were Joel Topham, left, Roaring River State Park natural resources manager and Buchman’s boss, and his wife, April Topham. Kyle Troutman/ktroutman@cassville-democrat.comSteve Jabben, left, lights a candle for his wife, Carrie Jabben, as their daughter Mary Hayse, during a vigil for Elise Buchman on Sunday at Roaring River State Park. Kyle Troutman/ ktroutman@ cassville-democrat. comAbout 25 people attended a vigil for Elise Buchman, park office administrative assistant, on Sunday, sharing memories, lighting candles and tossing flowers into the river in Buchman’s honor. Kyle Troutman/ ktroutman@cassville- democrat.comPunctuating the Elise Buchman vigil on Sunday were a pair of bald eagles, unseasonably perched in two trees about 100 yards away from the vigil and staying put through the entire event. Those honoring Buchman, longtime administrative assistant at the park, noted the eagles were some of her favorite animals at the park, and having the two at the vigil felt like Buchman watching over them. Kyle Troutman/ktroutman@cassville-democrat.com
