Richard Everett, Iii

Richard E. Everett, III, 76, Springfield, passed away at 7:33 p.m., Friday, January 23, 2004 in Cox Medical Center North.

He was born in Springfield, Missouri, to Richard E. Everett, Jr. and Mary (Skopec) Everett on February 9, 1927. Richard served in the U.S. Navy during World War II and the Korean War. Richard retired from the maintenance department of Litton Industries after 20 years of service. He was a hard worker who enjoyed woodworking and home remodeling. He was a loving husband who devoted himself to the care of his wife.

Mr. Everett is survived by his wife, Willa M.; three children, Richard E. Everett IV and his wife, Deborah, Patricia Griffis and her husband, Tom, all of Springfield and Mary Rhodes and her husband, Doug, Lees Summit, Mo.; four grandchildren, Elizabeth Everett, Springfield, Richard E. Everett V, Springfield, Megan Rhodes and Clayton Douglas Rhodes, Lees Summit; one great-granddaughter, Bailey Yocum, Springfield.

Funeral mass will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday January 27, 2004 in St. Agnes Cathedral with Fr. Mike McDevitt celebrant. Burial with military honors by the Veterans' Memorial Team will be in St. Mary's Cemetery under the care of Herman H. Lohmeyer Funeral Home 500 E. Walnut.

Visitation will be from 6 to 7:30 pm. Monday with prayer services starting at 7:30 p.m. all in the funeral home.

God saw you getting tired and a cure was not to be. So He put His arms around you and whispered, "Come with me." With tearful eyes we watched you suffer and saw you fade away. Although we couldn't bear to lose you, we could not ask you to stay. A golden heart stopped beating, hard-working hands laid to rest. God broke our hearts to prove to us He only takes the best.