Roy Donald "Don" Richard, age 90, of Kalkaska, MI, formerly of Chapin, MI, passed away Monday, October 31, 2011 at Welcome Home Assisted Living, Elsie, MI.
Funeral Services will be held at Chapin United Methodist Church Elsie, MI on Thursday, November 3, 2011 at 11:00 A.M., with Pastor Gary Hawes officiating. Burial will take place at Fairfield Township Cemetery Fairfield Township, MI. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, November 2, 2011 from 2-8 P.M. with family present from 2-4 & 6-8 P.M. at Smith Family Funeral Homes, Elsie Chapel, Elsie, MI.
Don was born in Eureka, Michigan on April 20, 1921, the son of Orr Roy and Susan Beatrice (Finein) Richard. Don married Neva Carroll Mort on November 23, 1947 she died on August 8, 1986. On October 3, 1987 Don married Ethel Vess Ivey in Lakeland, Fl.
Don served his country in the U.S. Army Air Corp in WWII. He retired from General Motors, Oldsmobile division, in 1978. He enjoyed trapping, hunting, and gun collecting. Don also enjoyed baking pies and canning. He was famous for bringing his crockpot of sauerkraut to family and church meals. He was a lifetime member of the NRA. He resided most of his life in the Chapin and Elsie areas before retiring and moving to Kalkaska and Lakeland Florida. He was a member of Evergreen Baptist Church in Kalkaska and Chapin United Methodist Church.
He is survived by his wife Ethel Richard of Atlanta, GA, daughter Carole and Gary Hawes of Laingsburg, MI, son Chuck and Barbara Mort of Chapin, MI, daughter-in-law Vicki Richard of Laingsburg, MI, 3 step daughters; LuAnne and Dennis Keck, Gail Golder, Cindy and Mike Cope, and 2 sisters; Mary Hegler of Alma, MI, and Beatrice Isbell of Traverse City, MI. He was predeceased by his parents, wife Neva, son Jim, daughter in law Helen Mort, brother Bill, and 2 sisters; Ruth & Florence.
Memorials may be made to Chapin United Methodist Church or Evergreen Baptist Church, Kalkaska, Michigan. Online condolences can be sent to www.smithfamilyfuneralhomes.com The family is being served by Smith Family Funeral Homes Elsie Chapel Elsie, Michigan.
