Richard "Dick" Bacon September 30, 1925 ~ April 24, 2009
		Draucker Funeral Home 700 N. Spruce Street Post Office Box 296 Ogallala, NE 69153 Ph:  308.284.4021

 OBITUARY

 
Richard 'Dick' Bacon, 83, of Longmont, CO and formerly of Ogallala, died April 24, 2009 in his home.

Richard was born September 30, 1925 in Bloomington, NE., the son of Cecil and Mamie Kesinger Bacon.  One of seven children, he was raised in a Christian home.

He attended school in Bloomington and graduated from high school.

In 1944 he entered the 70th Infantry Division of the Army and served in Central Europe.  He earned the Purple Heart award for more than one occasion of wounding and then was honorably discharged in 1946.

On June 8, 1947 Richard married Mary Ellen Chalker and together they had four children.  The couple resided in Ogallala until 2004 when they moved to Longmont.  The couple celebrated their 61st wedding anniversary in 2008.

Employed as a meat cutter for Safeway for thirty-eight years, Richard used this skill to process deer during the hunting season, assisted by family and friends. 

As a member of the Ogallala First United Methodist Church he served as an usher for a number of years.  Richard was a life member of the Elks Club.  He was a long time member of the American Legion, VFW, and the Masonic Lodge 159 AF and AM.

For recreation Richard enjoyed bowling, hunting and fishing.  He loved to garden and was known for raising the best tomatoes.

One of the highlights of Richard's life was his time volunteering for the Ogallala Fire Department which he joined in 1951.  He served in several capacities including Lieutenant to Chaplain. After a lengthy time on the waiting list he was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2003.

Richard always seemed to be surrounded by angels, by the living proof of his everyday life.  This was especially clear during his time of service in the military and as a firefighter.  He would want us to remember, "Angels are always near to those who are grieving, to whisper to them that their loved ones are safe in the hands of God."

Preceding him in death was his parents, five sisters and one brother.

Survivors include his wife Mary Ellen Bacon of Longmont, CO., three sons: Richard 'Ric' Bacon and his wife Teresa of Loveland, CO; Michael Bacon and his wife Karen of Lafayette, CO; Roger Bacon of California, and one daughter Janet and her husband Dennis Culver of Boulder, CO.  Also 12 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.

Cremation was chosen.  A memorial service will be Saturday, May 30, at 10 a.m. in the First United Methodist Church.  Rev. James Miller will officiate.  Military Honors given by Keith County Veterans Organizations. Firefighters funeral rites by Ogallala Honor Guard and Masonic rites by Masonic Lodge 159 AF and AM.

A memorial has been established to the VFW of Ogallala and the Mountain Valley Health Care Hospice of Longmont, CO.

Draucker Funeral Home of Ogallala is in charge of arrangements.