Bernice Buchanan

Bernice Buchanan, 89, passed away peacefully on October 5, 2025.

Bernice was born on September 27, 1936, in Malad, Idaho to Okell Hughes and Lewis Roy Burnham. She was raised on the family farm in Hawkins Basin and in Arimo attending schools in Marsh Valley. She spent her entire life in Idaho except for one wild adventure in California with her life-long friend, Martha Pidcock.

After a year in California, her boyfriend tracked her down and convinced her to move back to Idaho and get married. She wed Jack Mayne in May of 1956 and they had four sons, Russell, Ronald, Richard and John and spent the remainder of her days in Pocatello.

In 1974, she met and married Clinton Buchanan, a good and brave man, and they built a new life together.

She was a hard and dedicated worker. After growing up on a farm and all that life entails, she switched from country girl to city girl. She mainly worked in offices as a clerk, secretary, receptionist and office manager. This included a dairy, IB&T bank, S&H Green Stamps and doctors' offices. She even tried working for a lawyer for a while but quickly moved back to healthcare.

Bernice had many hobbies over the years with quilting, gardening, flower arrangement and decorating among them. She especially enjoyed thrift stores and yard sales, though she was asked more than once to leave due to her incessant haggling. Her true love was playing cards, and she belonged to several Pinochle clubs throughout her life to hone her skills. She enjoyed many friends over the years but none that she loved as much as those in the Jollyettes club where they would get together each month and take turns entertaining.

She is survived by her sons, Russel Mayne of Pocatello, ID and John Mayne of McCammon, ID; grandchildren, Joshua Mayne (Angie) of Wesley Chapple, FL; Travis Mayne (Heather) of Idaho Falls, ID; Crystal Meade (Greg) of Pocatello, ID; great grandchildren, Ryder Meade of Pocatello, ID; Kourtney Mayne of Coeur d’Alene, ID; brother, James Burnham (Arlene) of Pocatello, ID; stepdaughter, Barbara Anderson (Larry) of Pocatello, ID; and numerous nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Clinton Buchanan; sons, Ronald Mayne and Richard Mayne; parents, Lewis and Okell Burnham; brothers, Lyle Burham, David Burnham (Linda), and Robert Burnham; sister, Beverly Batterton (Floyd); and stepson, Rick Buchanan.

Private services will be held.

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