NAPPANEE — Richard Alan Best, 87, 1003 Elizabeth, Republic, MO., died Monday at his residence. He had lived his entire life in Nappanee, Ind., until a year ago when he moved to Republic. He had been ill since June.
Best was born Sept. 30, 1922, in Nappanee, Ind., to William C. and Idola (Weiser) Best.
On Sept. 24, 1944, in Nappanee, he married Maryellen Neterer. She survives.
He was a graduate of Nappanee High School, was a World War II Coast Guard veteran and was retired from the sales department at Inman Retail Food Brokerage Co., Detroit, Mich.
He was a member of First Brethren Church, where he served as moderator, deacon and as a Sunday school teacher. He was a member of the Nappanee American Legion, served on the Nappanee City Council for eight years and was Nappanee city judge for four years. Best also served on the Nappanee Utilities Board and was a member of the Elkhart County Park Board for eight years.
Surviving along with his wife are a son, Randall (Karen) Best, Massillon, Ohio; three daughters, Cynthia (Roger) Heckaman, Syracuse, Ind., Cathlin Stuntz, Republic, and Elizabeth (Phil) Keiser, Sauk City, Wis.; grandchildren, Matthew (Angel) Best, Ben (Connie) Best, Katianne Best, Michael Heckaman, Bill Heckaman, John Heckaman, Shana (Tim) Brownlee, Shelby Stuntz, Nate (Bethany) Keiser, Nick Keiser and Kelsey Keiser; great-grandchildren, Ben Best, Matthew Best, Jacob Best, Christian Best, Olivia Brownlee and Ellen Brownlee; stepgreat-grandchildren, Kirsten Wicker, Ricky Wicker, Bryndin Wicker and Kaylin Wicker; and a brother, William W. (Kris) Best, Nappanee, Ind.
Friends may call from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Saturday at Thompson-Lengacher & Yoder Funeral Home, Nappanee, and one hour prior to the 2 p.m. funeral service Sunday at First Brethren Church, Nappanee. The Rev. Tom Schiefer will officiate.
Burial will be in South Union Cemetery, Nappanee, with military graveside services conducted by Nappanee American Legion.
Memorials may be directed to Kidney Cancer Association or Hospice Compassus, Springfield, Mo.
Obituaries
Richard Alan Best
Sept. 30, 1922-Nov. 16, 2009
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