Richard Lockard

Richard W. Lockard, age 87, died Friday, February 23, 2007 at the Norfolk Veterans Home. Funeral services are 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, February 27, 2007 at the First United Methodist Church in Columbus. The Rev. Bill Ritter will officiate. Visitation is Monday 5-7 p.m. at the funeral home. Visitation will continue Tuesday morning 9:30 a.m. until service time at the church. Interment with military honors by American Legion Hartman Post #84 Honor Guard will be in the Roselawn Cemetery. Memorials are suggested to the church.

Richard Lockard was born November 10, 1919 on a farm northeast of Shelby, Nebraska., to James & Martha (Sievert) Lockard. He attended Polk County rural schools & Shelby High School, graduating in 1937. He did farm work until entering the service on April 30, 1942. He received training at Jefferson Barracks, St Louis, Missouri and on July 23, 1942 he was sent to the Pacific theater of World War II, landing in Australia, going thru campaigns in New Guinea, Leyte & Luzon Islands in the Philippines. He received the Asiatic Pacific Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal and Philippine Liberation Ribbon. Spending 3 years, 2 months & 24 days in the Pacific Theater, Rich received his discharge on October 22, 1945 at Ft. Logan, Co.


On June 2, 1947 he married Marjorie Peach at Belleville, Kansas. They farmed in Polk and Butler Counties until 1959 when they moved to Columbus. In 1962 they purchased Columbus Berg Vault Co. & later in 1976 purchased Fairmont Memorial Vault Co. which they ran both until 1982. Rich semi retired working for the Columbus City Cemeteries for 10 years.



He is survived by:

Granddaughter: Lisa Koperski of Underwood, IA,
Granddaughter: Melody Winton of Phoenix, AZ
Grandson: Chance Lockard of El Paso, TX
Great Grandchild: Shephanie Hegwald :

6 Great Great Grandchildren



He was preceded in death by:

Wife Margie Lockard
Parents: James & Martha Lockard
Son: Lonnie Lockard
Sister: Doris Aerni
Brothers: Milford, Leslie, Lyle & August Lockard