Richard R. Boatman, age 75, of Darlington, WI, passed away Saturday, October 24, 2009, at Hospice Care Inc. in Fitchburg, WI. He was born January 14, 1934, in Madison, WI, son of Daniel and Bernadine (Rogers) Boatman. Dick graduated from Darlington High School in 1952 and later received a certificate from Black Hawk Technical College in Beloit, WI, for Law Enforcement. He was united in marriage to Gloria Severson on November 26, 1955, at York Evangelical Lutheran Church in Blanchardville, WI. Dick lived and farmed in Fayette and Lamont Townships for 18 years before moving to Darlington in 1975. He also worked for the Lafayette County Sheriff's Department for 11 years as a night dispatcher, and later as a dispatcher for McMorhan Trucking in Shullsburg, WI. Dick then worked for W.K. Construction in Middleton, WI, before retiring in 1999. He also drove a school bus for Darlington Schools up to the present time.
Dick is survived by his wife Gloria at home; three children, David (Kim Spurley) Boatman of rural Mineral Point, WI, Robert (Ellen) Boatman of Lamont, WI, and Pamela (Paul) Copus of Darlington; 10 grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents; and one daughter, Kristi Lynn in infancy in 1967.
Dick was a member of Fayette United Methodist Church and its Administrative Board for many years. He was a past member of Darlington's Order of Odd Fellows. Dick and his wife were avid antique collectors and active in the Sleepy Eye Collectors Club of America. He also enjoyed woodworking and sold a lot of his products at local craft shows. Dick owned and operated Rich Glo Antiques with his wife Gloria from 1977 to 2007. He enjoyed seeing the kids on the school bus as much as they enjoyed him. Dick will be sadly missed and fondly remembered.
A funeral service will be held Tuesday, October 27, 2009, at 11 a.m. at Fayette United Methodist Church, 11013 County Highway F in rural Darlington with the Rev. Larry Hakes officiating. Burial will be at Union Grove Cemetery in Darlington. A visitation will be held Monday, October 26, 2009, from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m. at Erickson Funeral Home in Darlington. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.ericksonfuneralhome.com.
For those who prefer, a memorial fund has been established in Dick's name.
Dick is survived by his wife Gloria at home; three children, David (Kim Spurley) Boatman of rural Mineral Point, WI, Robert (Ellen) Boatman of Lamont, WI, and Pamela (Paul) Copus of Darlington; 10 grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents; and one daughter, Kristi Lynn in infancy in 1967.
Dick was a member of Fayette United Methodist Church and its Administrative Board for many years. He was a past member of Darlington's Order of Odd Fellows. Dick and his wife were avid antique collectors and active in the Sleepy Eye Collectors Club of America. He also enjoyed woodworking and sold a lot of his products at local craft shows. Dick owned and operated Rich Glo Antiques with his wife Gloria from 1977 to 2007. He enjoyed seeing the kids on the school bus as much as they enjoyed him. Dick will be sadly missed and fondly remembered.
A funeral service will be held Tuesday, October 27, 2009, at 11 a.m. at Fayette United Methodist Church, 11013 County Highway F in rural Darlington with the Rev. Larry Hakes officiating. Burial will be at Union Grove Cemetery in Darlington. A visitation will be held Monday, October 26, 2009, from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m. at Erickson Funeral Home in Darlington. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.ericksonfuneralhome.com.
For those who prefer, a memorial fund has been established in Dick's name.