Obituary: Richard Arthur Edwards

Richard Arthur Edwards, age 77, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, March 15, 2022. Richard, known affectionately as “Dick” to friends and family, grew up in Adams-Friendship, worked and resided in Brillion, and most recently lived in Sheboygan.

He was born in Adams, WI on June 28, 1944, son of Lloyd and Delores Edwards (remember, he frequently hailed himself as the “Adams County Champ”). He was a graduate of Adams-Friendship high school, where he met his wife Nola, and graduated with the class of 1962. Dick obtained a college degree at UW-Stevens Point and upon completion he and Nola began their teaching careers in the Brillion Public Schools, where they both faithfully taught until retirement in 1999. Both Dick and Nola forged meaningful lifetime friendships with their co-workers and friends in Brillion and always reminisced fondly of their time with them. Upon retirement, Dick and Nola moved to McAllister, Wisconsin where they enjoyed the gift of nature. There, they became a part of the local community and joined Community Lutheran Church where they built lasting relationships with many loyal friends.

Dick and Nola married on April 9, 1966 at White Creek Congregational Church in White Creek, WI, just outside of Adams-Friendship. She preceded him in death on June 7, 2020. Dick enjoyed fishing, hunting, playing cards (especially cribbage), travelling, ATV rides with his grandchildren, and walks in the woods or on Florida beaches.

Dick was a passionately devoted man, and that was never more evidenced than in how passionate he was about his love for friends and family. Dick is survived by his children, Alan Edwards of Sheboygan, Wisconsin and Lisa (Andrew) Shamburek of Oconto Falls, Wisconsin, as well as his grandchildren; Elizabeth (Evan Carlson) Edwards, Morgan, Allison and Samuel Edwards, and Andrea, Faith and Grace Shamburek. He is also survived by his sister-in-law Jill (Mike) Edwards, sister-in-law Nancy (Howard) Edwards, sister-in law Ida Mae (Kent) Bacon, sister-in law Joann (Gary) Bacon, brother-in law Gary Bacon, brother-in-law Ed (Marilyn) Burdick, and sister-in law Janice Rhinehart. He was preceded in death by his parents: Lloyd and Delores Edwards; his wife, Nola; his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Edgar and Mildred Bacon; two brothers, Mike and Howard Edwards; brother-in laws, Kent Bacon and Bud (Janice) Rhinehart; sister-in-laws, Marilyn (Ed) Burdick, and Carol (Howard) Edwards and one granddaughter, Ellie Shamburek.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, March 19, 2022 at 12 Noon at Pielhop Wieting Funeral Home in Brillion, WI. The family will greet relatives and friends at the funeral home from 9:30 a.m. Saturday, March 19, 2022 until 11:45 a.m. Richard has been cremated and his cremated remains will be buried, next to his wife Nola, at Mount Repose Cemetery in Friendship, Wisconsin on June 11th, 2022 – Further details regarding the burial service, which will be in honor of the lives of both Richard and Nola, will be announced at a later date.

Special thank you to Harvest Home Assisted Living in Howards Grove, WI as well as Heartland Hospice Program for their loving care of Richard in his battle with dementia.

The family requests that remembrance gifts be directed to the Alzheimer’s Association of Wisconsin with checks payable to Alzheimer’s Association, 620 S. 76thStreet #160, Milwaukee, WI 53214. You can also donate at https://www.alz.org/wi/donate. Online condolences may be made at www.pielhopwieting.com

The Pielhop Wieting Funeral Homes of Brillion & Reedsville is assisting the family with funeral arrangements.