Richard E. LaFave

Service Details

His funeral service will be held at Pentecost Lutheran Church located at 2213 Coolidge Ave, Racine, WI on Saturday, August 27, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. with Rev. Luke Jacob officiating. Visitation will be at the church on Saturday beginning at 10:00 a.m. until the time of service.   Burial will follow at West Lawn Cemetery.

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Richard Ervin LaFave, 89, was taken to his Heavenly Home at Azura Memory Care in Eau Claire, on August 19, 2016.  Richard was born on August 28, 1926, in Manitowoc, WI, the son of the late Joseph and Hilda (Maties).  Richard was raised in Two Rivers, WI, and later the family moved to Racine, WI.

On August 16, 1946, in Racine, WI, he was united in marriage to Antonia J. Zore.  Richard proudly served with the United States Navy during the Korean War.  He was a member of the Loyal American Legion Post 175.  After the Navy, Richard drove truck for several companies in Racine.  He later decided to go to school at Carthage College in Kenosha, where he earned his B.S in Education.  In 1966, he graduated and was employed with the Racine Unified School District for 22 years, until his retirement in 1988.  Richard was an active member of Pentecost Lutheran Church in Racine.  He was in the Men’s Club, Choir, Bible Study, co-founder of the 55 Plus Senior Club, and served on the Church Council in a number of positions.  Richard also served on the Racine County Board as a Supervisor and as County Board Chairman.  He spent many years as a volunteer for Gideons International.  In his retirement years, Richard and his wife, Antonia, did Hymn Sings at various nursing homes in Racine, and later in Eau Claire.  They made their home in Racine until 2004, when they moved to Eau Claire, WI to be near family.  Richard and Antonia became members of St. Matthew Lutheran Church in Eau Claire.

Survivors include sons: Ervin (Linda), David (Anne), and Stephen (Darlene).  Grandchildren: Richard (Allyson) LaFave, Kristin (Chad) Thompson, Aimee (Michael) Fournier, Chad LaFave, Cassandra (Josh) Buckberg, Julie LaFave, Jessica (Daniel) Pickett, and Michael LaFave.  Great-Grandchildren:  Abigail and Clare LaFave, Anya and Anniston Fournier, Ryker Thompson, Claire Buckberg, and Ollie Mae Pickett.  Step Great-Grandchildren: Gabrielle and Isabelle Thompson.  Sister: Carol Redding.

Richard was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Antonia, and his parents, Joseph and Hilda LaFave.

His funeral service will be held at Pentecost Lutheran Church located at 2213 Coolidge Ave, Racine, WI on Saturday, August 27, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. with Rev. Luke Jacob officiating.  Visitation will be at the church on Saturday beginning at 10:00 a.m. until the time of service.   Burial will follow at West Lawn Cemetery.

A special thank you to  his Azura “family” for their exceptional love and care given to Richard.    Also, a thank you to Mayo Hospice for their care in making Richard comfortable.   In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to St. Matthew Lutheran Church in Eau Claire, WI or Pentecost Lutheran Church in Racine, WI.