Richard LeRoy Lute

Richard LeRoy Lute, 78, Nevada, died Wednesday, May 18, 2005, at his home in Nevada.

He was born June 13, 1926, in Cawker City, Kan., to Everett L. Lute and Ruth Florence Welch Lute. He married Dimple May Purvis on June 26, 1946, in Appleton City, Mo., and she survives of the home.

Richard grew up in California and then moved to Appleton City in 1942. He graduated from Appleton City High School in 1944. He served during World War II in the U.S. Navy in the South Pacific from May 1944 to June 1946. During his lifetime, he owned and operated in rural Appleton City, Lute's Country Store. He came to Nevada in 1976 and was a route salesman for Taystee Bread Company for 11 years.

Due to poor health, it was necessary for him to take an early retirement in 1979. He later managed Davison's Shoes in Nevada for 10 years, retiring in 1989. Mr. Lute was a member and former deacon of the First Baptist Church, Nevada. He was an avid golfer, enjoyed his family, and working in his yard.

Survivors in addition to his wife, Dimple, include two daughters, Pam Hedger and her husband, Jack, Butler, and Cindy Onelio, Kansas City, Mo.; son-in-law, David Reavis, Topeka, Kan.; four grandsons, Doug Cross and his wife, Shannon, Clinton Cross and his wife, Andrea, Joel Reavis, and Todd Hedger; one granddaughter, Jill Koenen and her husband, Scott; three great-grandsons; and five step-great-grandchildren; one brother, Jack Lute and his wife, Cleo, Placerville, Calif.; one sister, Norma Romero and her husband, Manuel, Anderson, Calif.; and his stepmother, Marie Lute, Redding, Calif. He was preceded in death by his parents; an infant sister, Joyce; a sister, Betty Damon; his daughter Nancy Reavis; and daughter-in-love, Barbara Reavis.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m., on Monday, May 23, at the First Baptist Church in Nevada with Dr. William Cox officiating. Interment will follow in Newton Burial Park, Nevada, with military honors. Friends may call now and until 9 a.m. on Monday at Ferry Funeral Home, Nevada. The family receives friends 6-7 p.m., Sunday at the funeral home.

Those who wish may contribute to the First Baptist Church Building Fund in care of the First Baptist Church, 301 E. Highland, Nevada, MO 64772, or in care of Ferry Funeral Home.