Richard Louis Thelander

Richard Louis Thelander, 72, Nevada, Mo., passed away Wednesday, Aug. 30, 2006, at St. John's Regional Medical Center in Joplin, Mo., following a brief illness. He was born Dec. 3, 1933, in Elgin, Ill., to Earl Joseph Thelander and Helen Nellie Heine Thelander. He was married Jan. 8, 1994, in Grandview, Mo., to Dorothy Jean Coin and she survives of the home.

Mr. Thelander was born and reared in Elgin. He served in the U.S. Air Force for 20 years including serving in Vietnam. He retired from the service in 1972. Following his tour in the service, he worked at a variety of occupations including banking and accounting. He was an active member of the Vietnam Veterans Association. He was also a member and a trustee at Trinity Lutheran Church for many years.

In addition to his wife Dorothy, survivors include one son, Jeffirey Thelander, Independence, Mo.; one daughter, Sheree McKarnin, Pleasant Hill, Mo.; one stepson, Jim Coin, Columbia, Mo.; three stepdaughters, Judy Kem, Grandview, Mo., Charlene Smith, Raytown, Mo., Mary Keown, Independence; 13 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren; two cousins, Nancy Taylor and Kenneth Thelander, both from the state of Ilinois. He was preceded in death by his parents and one brother Gary Thelander.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m., Tuesday, Sept. 5, at the Newcomer Longview Chapel in Kansas City, Mo., with the Rev. Johannes Brann officiating. Interment will follow in Longview Memorial Garden.

Friends may call now and until 3 p.m., Sunday, at Ferry Funeral Home, 301 S. Washington, Nevada. The family will receive friends at Ferry Funeral Home, Sunday Sept. 3, between 2-3 p.m.

View obituary and send condolences online at www.ferryfuneralhome.com