Sabourin, Richard J.

Richard J. Sabourin, 61, of Springdale, died Thursday, Jan. 12, 2012, at his residence. A memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 17, at the Springdale United Methodist Church. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Monday at Henderson-Barker Funeral Home in West Branch.

Richard was born March 3, 1950, in Burlington, Vt., the son of Jerry and Kelly (Carr) Sabourin. He graduated from Middlebury Union High School in 1968 and later from Truman State University in 1974. He was united in marriage to Tana McMath on July 13, 1974, in Springdale. Richard worked as a welder and pipe fitter and was the owner of Sabourin Welding.

He was a member of Springdale United Methodist Church, the local Welders Union, and was an honorary member of the West Branch FFA, where he was instrumental in the building of the FFA greenhouse. Richard was also a member of the Classy Chassy Cruisers Car Club and he took special pride and joy in his blue 1966 Chevrolet Chevelle.

Richard was born and raised on a dairy farm in Vermont and stayed involved with farming throughout his life. He would spend countless hours working on the farm machinery for farmers in the Springdale area.

He is survived by his wife, Tana Sabourin of Springdale; daughter, Jennifer Sabourin of Ottumwa; sons, Jeremiah Sabourin and Joshua (Katie) Sabourin of Springdale; sisters, Jo Sabourin of Buckeye, Ariz., and Lauralee Searle of Bridport, Vt.; brother-in-law, Joe (Kay) McMath of West Branch; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, and a brother, Greg Carr.

A memorial fund has been established.

Online condolences may be made to the family at .

Published Jan. 14, 2012, in The Gazette