Richard Bailiff

Richard Bailiff, 83, of Corning, entered into eternal rest Friday, April 10, 2020, at Bergan Mercy Hospital in Omaha, Nebraska. His wife Darlene and daughter Wendi were with him when he left this life after a long illness. Graveside services will be held 1 p.m. Saturday, April 18, 2020, at Oakland Cemetery, Quincy, in rural Adams County. Mr. Larry Johnson will officiate. All who wish to attend please remain in your vehicle. Due to COVID-19 guidelines, only 10 people will be allowed at the graveside. There will be a celebration of life gathering at Richard and Darlene's home at a later date. Open viewing will be from 2 to 6 p.m. Friday, April 17, 2020, at Pearson Family Funeral Service & Cremation Center, 701 7th St. in Corning. The family will not be present. Due to COVID-19 guidelines, only 10 people will be allowed in the funeral home at a given time. Funeral home staff will enforce social distancing and monitor the number of people in the building. Memorial contributions may be directed to the family to be determined. Memories can be shared at www.pearsonfuneralhomes.com.

Richard Allan Bailiff began his life at a farm west of Carbon, June 3, 1936, to Paul Olen Bailiff and Viola Marie (Gebbie) Bailiff. Richard attended first through eighth grades at Carbon public school. He graduated from Corning High School in 1954. While in high school, he received many honors, awards and served in numerous offices such as student body president and student council representative. He was also active in football, track, basketball and vocal music. After graduating from high school, Richard attended and graduated from Coin Electric School in Chicago.

Richard and Lola Darlene Boham were united into marriage April 17, 1955, at the United Methodist Church in Corning. Two children were born from this union: a baby boy Mark Allan was added to their family in 1965, and a baby girl Wendi Linn completed their family in 1968.

Richard worked on farms as a farmhand when he was in eighth grade until he graduated from high school. Richard and Darlene moved to Chicago in 1955 where he attended school and worked at the Montgomery Ward mail order warehouse as a stock clerk and tool specialist. Richard and Darlene moved back to Corning in 1958. They bought and ran “The Clown Dairy Sweet” for 17 years. During that time, Richard also worked as an automobile mechanic. In 1967 Richard started working as a clerk and mail carrier at the Post Office in Clarinda until 1978. In 1978, Richard began working as the Adams County assessor until his retirement in 1998.

During Richard and Darlene’s marriage, they traveled extensively throughout the United States and Canada, often taking the children and later grandchildren on trips with them. After retirement, Richard enjoyed working and maintaining their house and timberland and watching wildlife. He planted many trees on their land.

Richard was preceded in death by his parents Paul and Viola (Gebbie) Bailiff; two infant brothers: Vernon P. and Kenneth E. Bailiff; a son Mark Allan Bailiff; two sisters: Evelyn Joann (Bailiff) Thomas and Beverly Jean (Bailiff) Bohanan.

Richard is survived by his loving wife (Lola) Darlene; a daughter Wendi Stedman and husband Larry of Corning; a sister Dorothy (Bailiff) Johnson of Lone Tree; grandchildren: Jesse Ray of Corning, Jackie Ray of Farimont, Minnesota, Ashley (Colwell) McGinnis of Corning; and a grandson Mark Colwell of Bedford; great- grandchildren: Marcus Damien, Masen Ray and Douglas Ziemer of Fairmont, Minnesota, Ryker McGinnis of Corning; and many nephews, nieces, and cousins.