CW4 Richard "Dick" Eugene Cordwell, 77, of Berryton, Kansas, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his wife and family Thursday, September 12, 2024. He was born November 19, 1946 in Beloit, Kansas, to Charles R. and Betty (Coe) Cordwell.
He was a 1964 graduate of Cawker City High School. On September 16, 1965 he enlisted in the Kansas National Guard as a PV1 and advanced to a Master Sergeant. On March 1, 1983 he was promoted to a WO1. He retired as a Chief Warrant Officer 4 on August 31, 2009, with over 43 years of service. During this time he received numerous awards.
On May 20, 1967 he was united in marriage to Sheryl (Schoen) Cordwell at the Zion Lutheran Church in Downs, Kansas. To this union were born two children, a son Kent Eugene Cordwell and a daughter Kimberly Ann Cordwell.
Richard truly lived life to the fullest. He enjoyed traveling with his wife, especially to Texas for the winter and last year they enjoyed a trip to Alaska. He loved NASCAR, hunting and fishing, but most of all he loved his wife, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Joyce; a brother, Charles Robert "Bob"; his son, Kent Eugene; and his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Meryl and Betty Schoen.
Left to mourn his passing is his wife, Sheryl; daughter, Kim and Doug Klise; grandchildren, Damion, Angie, Haven and Anna; great-grandchildren, Dawsyn, Denver, Kenton and Eleanor; sister-in-law, Vicky Cordwell; brother-in-law, Bruce (Debbie) Schoen; brother-in-law, Dennis (Brenda) Schoen; sister-in-law, Janet (Kyle) Tjelmeland; and very dear to him many nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday, September 18, at the Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, Topeka, Kansas. Visitation with family present will be at 9 a.m. until the service begins. Interment will follow at 4 p.m. at South Oak Creek Cemetery, rural Downs, Kansas.
Memorials may be made to the Museum of Kansas National Guard or Waconda Cultural Association in care of Schoen Funeral Home And Monuments 1001 Morgan Ave, Downs, KS 67437.
Online condolences may be sent to schoenfhm.com