Richard Lee Vestal

September 13, 1932 – June 2, 2018

Richard Lee Vestal, 85, of Unionville, Missouri passed away on Saturday, June 2, 2018 at the Putnam County Memorial Hospital in Unionville, Missouri.

The son of Noah Lawrence and Rosa Cleo (Thomas) Vestal, he was born in Cincinnati, Iowa on September 13, 1932.  He was united in marriage to Audra Jean Franklin on July 24, 1950 in Unionville, Missouri and to this union three daughters were born, Vickie, Judy and Reesa.

Richard is survived by two daughters, Judy Lawrence and husband, Steve of Madill, Oklahoma and Reesa Morris of LaPlata, Missouri; seven grandchildren; seventeen great grandchildren; three great great grandchildren; two brothers, Russell Vestal and wife, Karen of Unionville, Missouri and Jerry Vestal and wife RoseA of Melrose, Iowa; two sisters-in-law, Barbara Vestal of Unionville, Missouri and Ruth Hays of Arizona; nieces and nephews; other family members and many good friends.

He is preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Audra Jean on May 15, 2002; one daughter, Vickie Lee Tipton; one brother, Glen Vestal and one sister, Ruby Thennis.

Richard was of the Methodist faith and was also a graduate of the Livonia High School in Livonia, Missouri.  In 1970, he began his employment with the Missouri Highway Department and retired from that company after approximately twenty-three years.  His hobbies included running fox dogs in his fox pens, tractor pulls and granddaughter Brittany's sports.  Richard was an avid member of the Fox Hunters Association in Livonia, Missouri and the Blue Grass Association in Livonia, Missouri which he enjoyed very much.

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Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, June 6, 2018 at 2:00 p.m. at the Norman Funeral Home in Lancaster, Missouri with C. L. Vestal, a great nephew, officiating and assisted by Kevin Collins, Pastor of the Omaha Baptist Church in Omaha, Missouri.  Music will be provided by pianist, Brenda Collins and singers, Mary Ann Vestal and Leann Blankenship.  Special musical selections will be "One Day At A Time" and "Amazing Grace".  Pallbearers will be Doug Lawrence, Spencer Lawrence, Seth Lawrence, Trevor Raper, Richie Tipton, Shane Tipton, Jamie Tipton and Jace Tipton.  Visitation will be held on Tuesday, June 5, 2018 between the hours of 6-8:00 p.m. at the Norman Funeral Home in Lancaster, Missouri.  Memorials have been established for the Glenwood Cemetery.  Burial will be in the Glenwood Cemetery in Glenwood, Missouri.  Online condolences may be expressed to the family by logging on to normanfh.com.  Arrangements are under the direction of the Norman Funeral Home of Lancaster, Missouri.