Richard Cornell

Richard Merle Cornell, 75, Chanute, died Friday, May 11, 2012, at the University of Kansas Medical Center in Kansas City, Kan.

Richard was born in Iola Aug. 8, 1936, the son of Fred and Mary (Weeks) Cornell. He graduated from Iola High School in 1954 and received an associates degree from Iola Junior College in 1956.

Richard served in the  Army during the Korean War. He was stationed at White Sands Military Base in New Mexico.

He married Mary Lou Raines in 1962. She died in 1992. He then married Joyce Marsh on Nov. 4, 1994, in Chanute. She survives.

Richard was past president of Thayer State Bank. He also owned Dico Oil and Gas for several years. After his retirement he was a consultant for local and regional oil and gas companies.

He was a member of the Chanute Country Club, V.F.W., American Legion and Elks Club. He was president of the Chanute Chamber of Commerce and Men’s Golf Association. He was a member of Grace Episcopal Church, where he was an elder, held several offices and was active in the Diocese.

Richard was an avid KU fan and accomplished golfer. He enjoyed fishing and spending time at his lake house on Grand Lake. Above all else he was a loving husband, father, and grandfather.

Along with wife Joyce, he is survived by his children, Dr. Kelley Cornell, Boston, Scott Marsh and wife Tracey, Chanute, Elizabeth Liebman, Columbia, Mo., Kent Marsh and wife Amy, Gardner, Corey Marsh and wife Amanda, Overland Park, and Amanda Caldwell and husband Jay, Chanute; grandchildren, Ashley and Garrett Marsh, Chanute, Sydney and Sophie Marsh, Gardner, Mailyn and Irelyn Marsh, Overland Park, and Chloe Caldwell, Chandler Hottenstein and Kody Kuhn, all of Chanute; and two sisters, Mary Anna Haney and Virginia Warren, both of Iola.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Cremation has taken place.

A memorial service will be at 1 p.m. Wednesday at Grace Episcopal Church in Chanute. The family will receive friends today from 6 until 8 p.m. at the Penwell-Gabel Johnson Chapell. Memorials may be left at the funeral home for Cherry Street Youth Center or Grace Episcopal Church.