Merle Richard

Visitation for Merle D. Richard, 75, a resident of Bettendorf will be from 6:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. Thursday, August 21, 2003 at McGinnis-Chambers Funeral Chapel, Bettendorf. Memorials may be made to the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9128 of Bettendorf where he was a member.
Mr. Richard died Tuesday, August 20, 2003 at his home.
He was born January 14, 1928 in Estherville, Iowa, the son of George & Alma (Bergeson) Richard. On September 14, 1947, he married Virva Jane Arndt in Estherville.
Merle was a brick mason affiliated with the Bricklayers Union, Local #7 for over 50 years. In addition, he was employed as a Bettendorf police officer for 3 years.
One of his favorite pastimes was fishing. He took great joy in providing rods & reels to a multitude of children over the years, children that may never have known the joy of fishing if it hadn't been for him. He collected aluminum cans and purchased fishing equipment for the children with the proceeds. Merle always said, "I'd rather see kids hooked on fishing, not hooked on drugs."
Those left to honor his memory include his wife, Virva; his sons, Daniel of Sheridan, Michigan, Jerry of Bettendorf, Allen & his wife, Sue of Grand Prairie, Texas and John & his wife, Charlotte of LeClaire, Iowa; ten grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; his sister, Maurine Pinegar & her husband, Charlie of Des Moines, Iowa; his brothers, LaVern & his wife, Mavis of Lake Park, Iowa, Dale in Alaska and Duane & his wife, Mavis of Lake Park; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his brother, Leroy who was killed in action during World War II.