Richard W. Volkerding, 93, of Cape Girardeau died Friday, Oct. 13, 2023, at Chateau Girardeau.

He was born March 12, 1930, in Cape Girardeau to Robert C. and Helen Gruenberg Volkerding. On April 2, 1953, he and Marilyn Jane Wheeler of Sylvia, Kansas, were united in marriage and created a loving home in Cape Girardeau.

Richard attended Trinity Lutheran School and Cape Girardeau Public Schools, graduating from Central High School in 1948. He was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church and a member of Church of Christ during the later years of life.

During the Korean War, Richard served for four years in the U.S. Navy, of which a year and half was spent aboard the USS Kearsarge. He was a member of the VFW Post No. 3838 and American Legion Post No. 63.

Richard was employed for 34 years at Southwestern Bell Telephone Company, where he retired in 1982.

Richard enjoyed sports and the outdoors. He played on both the baseball and basketball teams while in high school. He also played for two state championship softball teams in 1957 and 1958. He loved hunting and fishing, fishing being his favorite. Whether it was crappie or bass fishing at Horseshoe Lake in Southern Illinois, setting trot lines for catfish in Osage River or standing in Current River at Montauk State Park fishing for trout, he enjoyed it all. Richard really loved to fish.

Loving survivors are his wife, Jane Volkerding of Cape Girardeau; three sons, Steven (Sheree) Volkerding of Cape Girardeau and Grant (LeaAnn) Volkerding and Robert (Kathy) Volkerding, both of Jefferson City, Missouri; 10 grandchildren, Michelle (Danny) Huesgen, Richard E. Volkerding, Tara (Gabe) Edwards, Jason Volkerding, Jack Volkerding, Ann (Ken) Nash, Amy (Bobby) Chin, Megan Cortez, Leslie (Dave) Chiles and Brian (Susan) Bloomer; and 15 great-grandchildren, Lucas and Stella Huesgen, Braden Volkerding, Kobi and Jonas Edwards, Benton Conners, Alexianna and Giovonna Nash, Tyler Chin, Jhon and Sophia Cortez, Reece and Alex Chiles and Livia and Lucas Bloomer. Also surviving are extended family and a host of friends.

Friends may call from 10 a.m. to noon Tuesday, Oct. 17, at Ford and Sons Mount Auburn Funeral Home.

Funeral will follow at noon Tuesday, Oct. 17, at the funeral home, with Jarod Skaggs officiating. Entombment will be at Cape County Memorial Park Mausoleum in Cape Girardeau, with full military rites provided by Missouri Honors Team.

Memorial contributions may be given to Children's Homes Inc.

Online condolences may be sent at www.fordandsonsfuneralhome.com.