Richard Gallina's Obituary
Richard Allan Gallina, son of Carl and Nancy Florence (Caprino) Gallina, was born April 19, 1934, in Marion, Ohio. He departed this life Monday, May 14, 2007, in Cox Medical Center South, in Springfield, Missouri, at the age of seventy-three years, and twenty-five days. On October 20, 1956 he was united in marriage to Donna Jean Whitaker and to this union three daughters were born. He was preceded in death by his parents; four brothers, Billy, Robert, Frank, and Chuck; two sisters, Peggy and Ruth; and his mother-in-law, Ada Childress. Richard is survived by his wife, Donna, of the home; three daughters, Pam Welliver, and her husband, Brian, of Lompoc, California, Barbara Lee, and her husband, Jerry, of Seymour, Missouri, and Brenda Campbell, of Richmond, Virginia; seven grandchildren, Sara, Kyle, Rebecka, Kristi, Kari, Richard, and Robert; two great-grandchildren, Richard and Karlee; six sisters, JoAnn, Mary Jane, Barb, May, Marsha, and Linda; two sisters-in-law, Selma and Karen; a number of nieces and nephews; as well as a host of other relatives and friends. He was born and raised in Marion and at the age of seventeen he entered the United States Air Force at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas. During his service he was involved in Intelligence and served three tours of duty overseas in Japan and Germany. He also was stationed at the radar base in Fordland, Missouri. In 1955 he met Donna on a blind date and they were later married in Seymour at the United Methodist Church. After their marriage they moved to Walnut Ridge, Arkansas and to California in 1969 and retired from the service in 1971. In 1983 they moved to the Seymour area to make their home. Richard had made his profession of belief in Christ and was of the Pentecostal faith. While living in California he enjoyed surf fishing. He was a handyman and enjoyed many crafts such as stained glass windows, woodworking, and loved working in his garden. Richard was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, and uncle and was a caring neighbor and friend. We celebrate his accomplishments and will cherish the wonderful memories he has created for his family and friends. Graveside services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Friday, May 18, 2007, in the Seymour Masonic Cemetery. Visitation will be held Thursday evening from 7 - 8:00 p.m. under the direction of Holman-Howe Funeral Home of Seymour, Missouri. Memorials to the Disabled Veterans of America may be made through the funeral home.
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