Werner, Richard 'Dick'

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Richard “Dick” Werner, 88, died Friday, Jan. 28, 2011, at Virginia Gay Nursing & Rehab in Vinton following a brief illness. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 1, at Salem United Methodist Church in Van Horne, with Pastor Norm Bennett officiating. Interment will be held at Salem Cemetery in Van Horne. Friends may call from 4 to 7 p.m. Monday at Phillips Funeral Home in Keystone.

Dick was born Nov. 24, 1922, on his family's Century farm near Van Horne, and graduated from the Van Horne High School in 1940. From 1943 to 1945, he served his nation in the Air Force. After finishing gunnery school, he flew 35 missions over Europe as a tail gunner on a B-17 bomber. Dick was a member of the Thomas F. Bevins American Legion in Van Horne where he had served as commander. On Feb. 1, 1948, he was united in marriage to Gladys Scheetz at the former E.U.B. Church in Van Horne. That church is now Salem United Methodist, where Dick served on the trustee board. He was also a member of the Benton County Extension Board. Dick had a great interest in restoring 2-cylinder John Deere tractors with his son.

His memory will be cherished by his wife, Gladys of Van Horne; his son, Dean (Jackie) Werner of Van Horne; his daughter, Dixie Luther of Land O'Lakes, Fla.; his grandchildren, Scott (Christy) Thomas, Jay (Shelly) Thomas, Rick (Julie) Thomas and Lisa (Brent) Olsen; 11 great-grandchildren; and his nephew, Terry (Deb) Lewis.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and his sister, Harriet Lewis.

A memorial fund has been established.

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