Richard L. Strahl, Iola, was born Feb. 12, 1934, to Clark W. and Lillian l. Dreyer-Strahl.
He passed away on Thursday, Feb. 8, 2018, at the Harry Hynes Memorial Hospice, Wichita, after a lengthy illness.
Richard was an Iola High School graduate in May 1952.
On Dec. 24, 1952, he married Shirley A. Applegate. Richard was in retail all his working years. In 1951, he went to work for S.H. Kress in Iola. In 1952, he transferred to the Independence store.
He served in the U.S. Army from 1955 to 1957, and continued working for S.H. Kress from 1957 to 1963 in Parsons, Wichita and then Pensacola, Fla.
In 1963, he joined TG&Y in Midwest City, Okla., transferred to Odessa, Texas, and in 1972 opened the new TG&Y store in Iola. He continued there until he joined Walmart in 1990.
Richard worked for Walmart in Kentucky, California, Chanute, Parsons and then Fort Scott, until he retired in 2007.
Richard is survived by his wife of 65 years, Shirley, of the home; as well as three children, Debbie (Dean) Crawford, Iola, David (Rita) Strahl, North Carolina, and Barbara (Rick) Rush, Iola. He also is survived by seven grandchildren and 31 great-grandchildren.
Richard was preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Jeanne Wilkins, Chanute; a daughter, Robyn C. Bain, and a grandson, Christopher A. Kershner.
Richard has been cremated, per his wishes. There will be no funeral, also per his request.
A visitation is planned for 7 p.m. Thursday at Calvary United Methodist Church, 118 W. Jackson Ave., Iola.
Richard Strahl
