Obituary: Richard J. Adams - Class of 1956

POYNETTE - Richard J. Adams of Poynette and formerly of Madison, passed away on Saturday, July 5, 2008, surrounded by his loving family, after a long battle with cancer. "Turk" was born on Feb. 23, 1937 and proudly grew up in the Greenbush area. He was a 1956 graduate of Madison Central High School. Dick worked many years as a route driver for Budweiser, Frank's Liquor, Gardner's Bakery and Purolator Courier. He was a life long Chicago Bears fan and an avid Chicago Cubs Fan. He got to live out one of his life long dreams to see the Cubs play at Wrigley Field this year. Richard is survived by his wife, Bethany; children, Gail (Mike Loftis) Cartmill of Tucson, Ariz., Vernon (Kathy) Young of Merrimac, James (Jodee Kox) Young of DeForest, Michael (Melissa Tietz) Adams of Cottage Grove and Michele (Kurt) Miller of Monona; brother, James (Toni) Adams of Mount Horeb; sisters, Betty Retalick of Cassville and Patricia (Roger) Klein of Madison; grandchildren, Hallee, Jordan, Katie, Haley, Alex, Kassie, Ryan, Abigail and Nicholas; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents, Clarence "Butch" and Victoria Adams; his beautiful daughter, Diane Adams; and a sister, Nancy Ward. He was a great man, husband, father, grandfather and friend. Richard will always be remembered for his constant smile, his big blue eyes, and his great sense of humor. He touched the hearts of many and brought happiness to all he met. Funeral services will be held at ST. STEPHEN'S LUTHERAN CHURCH, 5700 Pheasant Hill Rd., Monona, on Thursday, July 10, 2008, at 12 p.m. with the Rev. Nicholas Utphall presiding. Visitation will be held at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL HOME, 5203 Monona Dr., Madison, on Wednesday, July 9, 2008 from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m., and also on Thursday at the church from 11 a.m. until the time of service. A special thank you to the staff at Middleton Village for all you did to make his last days comfortable. Gunderson East Funeral and Cremation Centers 5203 Monona Dr. (608) 221-5420

Originally published in the Wisconsin State Journal on July 7, 2008