Richard A. Metsker II., age 67, of Joplin, Mo. passed away at 12:20 a.m. Saturday, October 20, 2012 at Mercy Hospital Joplin. Richard was born November 7, 1944 in Joplin, Mo. He attended school in Caldwell, Idaho and returned to Joplin following graduation from Caldwell, High School. Richard received his Bachelor’s Degree in Biology from Missouri Southern State University, and his Master’s Degree in Biology from Pittsburg State University. He was employed as a School Teacher, teaching mainly science that included teaching at St. Peter’s in Joplin, Carl Junction High School, Baxter Springs, Ks. Middle School, and Labette County Community College satellite campus in Baxter Springs. He was a member of the Kansas Academy of Science. Richard also served his country in the U. S. Navy as a corpsman, stationed with the U.S. Marines in Vietnam. He also received a Purple Heart. Richard was a life member of the Disabled American Veterans. He was an Episcopalian.
Richard married Lynda Bible on April 6, 1968 at the First United Methodist Church in Joplin and she survives. Additional survivors include two sisters, Gayle White and husband Jim, Post Falls, Idaho, and Thelma Dietrick and husband Dale, Caldwell, Idaho; two brothers, Rick Metsker and wife Mary and Steve Metsker, all of Joplin; and his father-in-law, Carl Bible, Joplin.
Graveside services will be conducted at 2:00 p.m. Friday at the Osborne Memorial Cemetery with Rev. Bruce Jacobs and Rev. Louise Reed officiating. The pallbearers will be Mark Metsker, Mitch Metsker, Al Hartman, Rick Metsker, Dick Bible, and Jake Marbough. Military Honors will be provided by the U.S. Navy and American Legion Post 13 of Joplin. The family will receive friends from 6-7 p.m. Thursday at the Mason-Woodard Chapel. Memorial contributions are requested to the American Legion Post 13 in care of the Mortuary. Arrangements have been entrusted to the Mason-Woodard Mortuary of Joplin, Mo.
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