Obit: Needham, Richard #2 (1928 - 2012)

Contact: Audrey Roedl

Email: audero@charter.net

Surnames: Needham, Davey, Boulware,

----Source: The Loyal TRG (Loyal, Clark County, WI 07 Mar 2012)

Needham, Richard (20 AUG 1928-27 FEB 2012)

Richard J. Needham, 83, Loyal, died on Monday, Feb. 27, 2012, at Wells Nature View, Marshfield. Funeral services were held at 11 a.m., on Saturday, March 3, at Trinity Lutheram Church, Loyal. Rev. Daniel Zimmerman officiated. Burial will take place in Emmanuel Lutheran Cemetery in the town of Longwood, at a later date. Pallbearers were his grandchildren, Megan Martinson, Benjamin Needham, Ross Needham, Joseph Needham, Sadie Spencer and Zachary Needham. Military rites were conducted by the Loyal Legion Post #175.

Richard James Needham was born on Aug. 20, 1928, in Greenwood, the son of Walter and Gertrude (Davey) Needham. He was raised and received his education in Clark County, graduating from Owen High school in 1946. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy and was stationed at Norfolk, Va. He married Blanche "Dene" Boulware on Aug. 22, 1947, im New Jersy. After his discharge from the Navy, they resided in the town of Longwood where Richard farmed and also worked at the Post Company in Owen. In 1962, he was hired as a deputy in Clark County and moved to Loyal, where he also worked at Foremost Foods, Roth Manufacturing and EZ-Camper. In 1970, he became the police chief for the city of Loyal, and remained in that position until retiring in 1990. He and his wife were foster parents to many children over many years. After retiring, he drove school bus for Dahl Bus Service and mowed grass and hauled garbage for the city of Loyal. His wit and great sense of humor will be greatly missed. He was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church, the Loyal American Legion and the Loyal Lion’s Club. He had many interests,  but especially loved watching his children and grandchildren play sports, fishing, hunting, teaching Sunday school, coaching, country and western music, socializing, and his coffee.

He will be dearly missed by his three sons; Mark Needham, Chili; Scott (Jean) Needham, New Richmond, and Paul (Peggy) Needham, Chili; six grandchildren, Megan (Josh) Martinson, Benjamin (Kellyn) Needham, Ross (Erin) Needham, Joseph Needham, Sadie (Ross) Spencer, and Zachary Needham. Two great-grandchildren, Brock and Brady Spencer; and nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Dene, on Aug. 28, 1999; one son, Bruce, in infancy; and one sister, Janet Niemi.

Online condolences may be expressed atwww.cuddiefh.com.

Cuddie Funeral Home, Loyal, assisted the family with arrangements.