A service of remembrance was held for Richard Lee Sandage, 84, of Jefferson Wednesday, Aug. 10, at Central Christian Church in Jefferson.
Words of comfort were offered by the Rev Sheldon Henderson, pastor of the church. Music was provided by soloist Larry Dowd accompanied by Sheryl Sloan. Honorary bearer was Ethan Mann Haley. Casket bearers were Stacy Mann, Jennifer Johnson, Kirsten Adam, Manda Adam, Kate Sandage and Sarah Sandage.
Interment was at the Jefferson Municipal Cemetery with military rites by a U.S. Army honor guard, Floyd Brown American Legion Post 11, and VFW Post 9599.
Slininger-Schroeder Funeral Home of Jefferson assisted the family.
Richard Lee Sandage, son of C.R. Sandage and Vergie Wooden Sandage, was born March 22, 1932 in Harrison County, MO. He died August 6, 2016 at his home in Jefferson with his family by his side.
Richard’s family moved to Iowa when he was 10 years old. He attended country school and then attended high school in Harlan. He worked for several area farmers until he was drafted into the U.S. Army. On January 19, 1953 he began serving and was assigned to the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment at Camp Carson, CO. Richard was honorably discharged on January 18, 1955.
On September 30, 1956, Richard was united in marriage to Deanna Cavanaugh at the First Christian Church in Audubon. They would have celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary in September. They made their home near Audubon before later moving to Jefferson, where he worked on a farm before going to work for Juhl Feed in Dana. He worked for Juhl Feed delivering feeder pigs all over the state of Iowa. He then started delivering feed all around Greene County. After retirement, his love for the land continued by his huge garden he planted every spring. He enjoyed sharing his harvest with family, friends, and neighbors.
Richard was baptized in 1957 at First Christian Church in Audubon, and later transferred his membership to Central Christian Church in Jefferson. He was a 4-H leader for the Greenbrier Boys and was a 25-year member of the Jefferson Elks Lodge.
Richard never knew a stranger. Richard was very quick witted, fun loving and just really loved life. He especially loved his family, and loved to tease his grandkids. He always carried jawbreakers to hand out to everyone and when he delivered feed he would always have suckers for the young kids on his route. Even during his chemotherapy, he would always have jawbreakers for the nurses and staff. Every time he was there, they knew they would be getting their favorite flavor. Richard was a big Vikings fan, and he enjoyed a trip with his son Brian to see a game last September. He also rooted for both the Cyclones and the Hawks.
Richard was preceded in death by his parents C.R. and Vergie Sandage; an infant daughter Amy Jo; mother and father-in-law James and Ethel Cavanaugh; sisters Alberta Marriott and Yvonne McNelly; brothers Boyd Sandage and Lloyd Sandage; and son-in-law, Rodney Mann.
He is survived by his wife Deanna Sandage of Jefferson; his children Jeffrey (Connie) Sandage of State Center, Lori Mann of Creston, Cheryl (Dean) Adam of Batavia, and Brian (Wendy) Sandage of Grand Junction; his grandchildren Stacy (Michael Haley) Mann, Jennifer (Derrick) Johnson, Kirsten Adam, Curtis Sandage, Manda Adam, Kate Sandage, and Sarah Sandage; his great-grandson Ethan Mann Haley; his sister Leona (Horace) Graves of Harlan; his brother Dean (Pat) Sandage of Dunlap, IA; and nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.
