Richard “Corky” Keichler, 79, formerly of Las Animas, Colo., died Wednesday, April 11, 2012 at the Moran Manor in Moran.

Corky was born Jan. 5, 1933, 10 miles NW of Las Animas, Colo., the son of Oscar and Bertha Halliday Keichler.

He served his country in the United States Army during the Korean War.

Corky was united in marriage to Esther Voss on March 28, 1953 in Raton, N.M. She preceded him in death on July 16, 1995.

He worked as a machinist/welder at the Fort Lyon VA Hospital, Fort Lyon, Colo.

Corky is survived by his daughters, Rhonda Hawkinson and her husband, Gary, Erie, and Deborah King and her husband, David, Bartlesville, Okla.; grandchildren, Matthew King and his wife, Angela, Bartlesville, Okla., Nathan King and his wife, Beth, Loma Linda, Calif., Jonathan King and his wife, Jessica, Bartlesville, Okla., Natalie King, Bartlesville, Okla., and Ruth and Joey Hawkinson, Erie; and a great-grandchild, Daneyl King, Bartlesville, Okla.

Along with his wife, Esther, he was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, William Keichler and Edward Keichler, and two sisters, Nina Edmonds and Joyce Berry.

Funeral will be 2 p.m. Monday, April 16 at the Grant Community Center in Stark.

Burial will be 11 a.m. Thursday, April 19 at the Fort Lyon National Cemetery, Las Animas, Colo.

Memorials in his name may be made to a college education fund for his grandchildren and may be left with the funeral home.

Penwell-Gabel Johnson Chapel in Chanute is in charge of arrangements.

To leave a special message for the family on-line, visit www.PenwellGabelChanute.com