Richard Staples

Funeral celebration of life services for Richard Staples, 70, of Corning, who passed away Sunday, May 19, 2019, in Des Moines will be 11 a.m. Wednesday, May 29, at Stringtown Community Church near Lenox. Visitation will be from 3 to 7 p.m. Tuesday at Ritchie Funeral Home, 124 S. Main St., in Lenox with family greeting friends from 5 to 7 p.m. Cremation will follow the services with interment of ashes in Oak Hill Cemetery in rural Corning. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials may be given in Rich's name. Memories may be shared with the family at www.ritchiefuneralhome.com under obituaries. Arrangements were entrusted to Ritchie Funeral Home of Lenox, where we "Celebrate Life."

Richard Arthur Staples, was born Dec. 31, 1948, in Creston, the son of Alvah Tom and Rowena (Hess) Staples. He grew up attending Mercer Center Country School, and graduated from Corning High School. He attended barber school in Cedar Rapids.

Rich married his first wife, Sherry, and to that union a son, Michael John Staples, was born. They later divorced. Richard married Joan Strickland Fast on June 26, 1999, in Creston.

Rich was an accomplished pianist, playing by ear. He could listen to a song a time or two, and then play it! He loved playing, even performing concerts in Lenox. Dearest to his heart was playing for his church in Stringtown.

He was a member of Stringtown Community Church near Lenox, where he never missed a service until his health was failing.

Left to cherish Rich’s memory are his loving wife Joan Staples of Corning; his son Michael Staples of Corning; his mother Rowena Staples of Chillicothe, Missouri; stepdaughters, Jamie Young and husband Albert of Delafield, Wisconsin, Erica Borja and husband Dennis of Harker Heights, Texas, also stepdaughter Angie Ramsey and husband Ed of Villisca; step-grandchildren, Charlotte, Eloisa, Mickey, Francesca and Gretchen Borja; uncle Carroll Hess of Washington State; sisters-in-law, Julie Newman and husband John of Stanton and Janean Hart and husband Rodney of Stanton; brother-in-law Joel Strickland of Stanton; niece Brittany Staples; nephew Ian Staples; along with many other family members and friends.

Preceding Rich in death is his father Tom Staples; brother John Staples; both the Staples and Hess grandparents; aunt Alice Staples and aunt Joy (Staples) Nolte and her husband Richard.

The memory of a well-spent life never dies.

Rich faithfully served his community and church.

May he be at peace in God’s loving care.