Richard George Cekan, age 68, of Friendship, Wisconsin died peacefully Tuesday, December 25, 2012 at his home following a long illness.
Memorial services will be 6:30 p.m. on Friday, January 4th, 2013 at the Roseberry’s Funeral Home in Friendship, Wisconsin. Rev. John K. Stake will officiate. Friends may call at Roseberry’s on Friday from 5:00 p.m. until the time of service. Military honors will be presented by the Adams County Honor Guard.
Interment will be at the South Arkdale Cemetery, Town of Strongs Prairie, Adams County, Wisconsin at a later date.
Richard was born February 29, 1944 in Adams, Wisconsin to George and Margaret (Voboril) Cekan. Richard grew up in Adams and attended Adams-Friendship schools before graduating from Adams-Friendship High School in 1962. Richard joined the United States Navy after graduation and following basic training in San Diego, he went to Washington DC Naval School of Music where he perfected his drumming skills. He later was stationed at Great Lakes Naval Training Station in Waukegan, IL. Richard was also stationed for 19 months in Yokosuka, Japan where he played in bands to honor dignitaries and for changes of command aboard numerous boats. While still in the Navy, Richard was a flag bearer at President John F. Kennedy’s funeral, it was one of his greatest and proudest memories. In July of 1968, Richard was honorably discharged from the Navy while stationed at Great Lakes. Richard and Norma D. Fallos first met at the Adams County Fair in 1967 and began their journey together, they were married on December 2, 1967 in Adams, Wisconsin after just six weeks of dating. This marriage was blessed with three children. Richard worked for the Chicago NorthWestern (Union Pacific) Railroad where he worked as a machine operator, retiring after 32 ½ years of service. He enjoyed the time he spent with the many friends and co-workers he met along the tracks.
Richard was an avid outdoorsman, hunter and photographer. He was one of the most knowledgeable people you could ever meet when it came to anything to do with nature. Richard loved to pass his knowledge and love of nature on to his children and grandchildren. He was a virtual nature encyclopedia and that part of so many lives will be greatly missed. Richard was a man of great intelligence. Richard loved to spend time with his family and traveling. He loved Upper Michigan and hunting waterfalls with his wife, children, and grandchildren where he would take amazing photographs. He was a die-hard Packers and Brewers fan, and recently a huge Matt Kenseth supporter. Richard was a very successful deer hunter who loved to rifle hunt as well as bow hunt and shot the biggest archery buck of his life this past season (WAY TO GO DAD!!). He loved gardening, picnicking, watching movies, reading, canning, reloading ammo, shooting, listening to music (especially jazz), playing drums, and collecting numerous things, but most of all he loved his Wife of 45 years, children, grandchildren, and friends as well as his other kids, his beloved pets.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Richard’s family.
Richard was preceded in death by his parents, George and Margaret Cekan; sister, Georgianna Hammond; mother and father-in-law, Rubye and Willie Fallos; brothers-in-law: William Fallos, Carl Fallos and Claude Fallos, Paul George, and Ray Bahl; sister-in-law, Anne Rundle; and very special pets: his cat, Man-x and his dog, Lewee.
Survivors:
Wife: Norma Cekan of Friendship, Wisconsin
Daughter: Valleri (Richard) Adams of Pueblo, Colorado
Son: Dallas (Janis) Cekan of Friendship, Wisconsin
Daughter: Desire’e (Darren) Schlafer of Arkdale, Wisconsin
Grandchild: Alexzandra Adams of Pueblo, Colorado
Grandchild: Samantha Adams of Pueblo, Colorado
Grandchild: Madylin Adams of Pueblo, Colorado
Grandchild: Cadance Cekan of Friendship, Wisconsin
Grandchild: Jacob Hentges of Arkdale, Wisconsin
Grandchild: Darren A. Schlafer of Arkdale, Wisconsin
Sister: Cheri Fuller-Olson of Middleton, Wisconsin
brother-in-law: Willie Hammond of Adams, Wisconsin
sister-in-law: Isabelle George of Tomahawk, Wisconsin
sister-in-law: Paula (John) Klein of Friendship, Wisconsin
sister-in-law: Carol (Al) Eineichner of Muskego, Wisconsin
sister-in-law: Dorothy Koivisto of Superior, Wisconsin
sister-in-law: Gloria Bahl of Horn Lake, Mississippi
sister-in-law: Arlene Fallos of Rib Lake, Wisconsin
sister-in-law: Shirley Fallos of Slinger, Wisconsin
sister-in-law: Sally Heilie of Arizona
further survived by many nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.
Norma and family, I am so sorry for your loss, you will be in our thoughts and prayers.
Norma, just to tell you we did not know your husband, Georgiana was a special school friend.
We send our love to you and your family
May you find comfort and peace in all your special memories of Dick. God bless you.
Dear Aunt Norma and family, so sorry to hear of Dick’s passing. Will always have memories of the “jam” sessions that were sometimes held and Grandpa and Grandma’s house when we would visit. I have my dad’s guitar sitting in my living room to remind me of those special times. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you at this time and always. Love Pam
Norma and Family,
May the love and enrichment Dick brought to your lives help ease the pain of the loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
I love you Daddy.. and I miss you! But know this I am with you where ever you are 🙂 because you took a part of me with you Papa..
Love your little Desireeeee <3
Norma and family, My sincere sympathy is with you and your family, your memories will always be with you. My prayers are with you all . God Bless you and your family.
Dearest Norma, Valleri, Desi, Dallas. I am so sorry for your loss.Richard is now in heaven looking down upon you all.May you all have peace in knowing he is with the Lord.If there is anything I can do, please let me know. Hugs to yo all. Darlene Chase.
Aunt Norma, Valleri, Dallas, Desi and families,
Uncle Richard will be so missed, but so fondly remembered. Please know that we are with you in spirit today and all the days to follow.
Love you all.
Norma and Family, We are so sorry to hear about Dick’s passing. Keep all of the great memories close! Thoughts and prayers sent your way at this difficult time.
Norma and Family, Our sincere condolence to you and your family for your loss. You’re in our thoughts and prayers. May all the HAPPY MEMORIES help you though this difficult time.
Norma and Family: Please accept my condolescences at this difficult time. In spirit I’ll be part of the Miitary Honors to a Fellow Sailor and Band Member. May God Bless You.
Dearest Norma,Dick was so blessed to have such a true LOVE like YOU in his wonderful life.Aways adventurous through life together thats what true love is all about.I could tell that the time ya’s came to Horn Lake.I away’s wished ya’s could of stayed a spell.We would of fished on the Mississippi River,or gone to see Elvis’s house Graceland or just cruised around sightseeing in the country.It’s really scenic down here like it is up north.It’s hard to believe that was only four years ago something like that,but i miss it very much.That deer salami Dick gave me was the best i’ve ever had,it did’nt last long that’s for damned sure.I remember as a little kid eating some great jars of pickles You and Dick made it was so good i can still taste it.I remember Dick and my DAd away’s joking and singing at the spot in the woods,and when they both lost there fishing poles while being being caught in swift current at the dam.I remember going and having a blast at those softball games and seeing dick bat.I’ll never forget those days back in the 60’s and all through the 70’s when everybody was Livin’ and kickin’ and havin’ an absolute blast doin’ it.I will truly miss my dearest uncle and I KNOW that he and my dearest dad are singin’ and drummin’ at the great GIG in the sky with the rest of our DEARLY DEPARTED.I love you and your family NORMA and I’ll alway’s have fond memories of everything.Love alway’s and thanks for taking such care of my dear uncle dick.
Norma and family, So sorry to hear about Dick, if there’s anything we can do to help at any time let me know. Even if you just need to talk anytime. We were friends for so many years and yet only saw each other in the grocery store, hopefully, we can fix that. We love you and will be thinking about you. Give me a call and let me know how you are doing. Nancy
I am so sorry to hear about your family’s loss. May God comfort you through this very difficult time.
May all your warm and happy memories help you at this time.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.
God bless you and see you through.
May you be surrounded with His Peace & Comfort during this time of sorrow. Our Thoughts and Prayers are with you and your family.
Desiree and Family,
So sorry to hear of your dads passing. You are in our thought’s and prayers. If there is anything
that you need please feel free to call us..
Sorry for your loss. Wish I could have talked to him.
Norma & Family, It has been an honor to know Richard “Dick” all these years. We have always considered him & you dear friends. I know that your memories will help you through these difficult times. May you be at peace as he is now.
Sorry to hear of the loss of your husband. Haven’t seen ya in years but my heart goes out to you and your family. May Richard rest in peace with no more pain and suffering.. Comfort each other and be there for each other to get through this hard time. Your in my thoughts and prayers.
My deepest sympathy to you all at this time. I will be thinking of you.
Our sympathies to you during this difficult time.
May God Family and Friends comfort you during this difficult time
Desi….. I am sorry for your loss. Know that though it hurts now the pain will lessen some. Always remember Dad will be with you. In your heart and memories forever.
Our Love and prayers to my Dear Sis Norma,Nieces and Nephew Val,Dallas ,Desi and Families. Dick was one of a kind and I mean that in the most respectful and loving way.
Norma,
Richard has been a blessing to so many, he will truely be missed. Our Prayers and thoughts go out to you and your family.
Aunt Norma and family so sorry he will be missed prayers be with you all He was a very special person and will always be remembered as such God Bless
Norma and Family, I am so sorry for you loss and will keep you in my thoughts and prayers.