Richard Walter Cockburn

Richard W. Cockburn, age 85, of Correctionville, passed away on Sunday, December 08, 2019 at the Correctionville Specialty Care of Correctionville.  A funeral service will be held on Tuesday, December 10, 2019 at 10:00 AM at the Church of Christ of Correctionville with the Pastor Tim Jones officiating.  Private family burial will be at the Correctionville Cemetery of Correctionville.  A visitation will be held one hour prior to the service starting at 9:00 AM at the church.  In lieu of flowers the family requests memorials to the Correctionville Fire and Rescue. 

Richard Walter Cockburn was born on October 16, 1934 in Correctionville, Iowa, the son of James and Ethel (Casey) Cockburn.  Richard received his education in Correctionville, graduating in 1953.  After graduation he went to work for Cudahy Packing plant and then went to work for Swift and Co. for 14 years.

Richard married Donna Florke on April 5, 1959 at the Little Brown Church.  To this union two sons were born, Steven and Dennis.

In 1961 Richard decided he wanted to farm, and it became his passion.  He and Donna moved to the farm and lived there for 50 years.  The land and livestock was the love of his life.  In 2010 he closed that chapter of his life and moved to town.  Up until the day of his death he spoke about the years the crops were good or when he had frozen hog waters.

Richard loved car races and rodeos.  He was a lifelong member of the Church of Christ; attending from the time he was two weeks old.  He served on the board for 50+ years.  He also painted the old church building twice.

Survivors include his wife of more than 60 years, Donna of Correctionville; two sons, Steven (Jamie) Cockburn of LeMars, and Dennis Cockburn of Correctionville; and two granddaughters, Chantel and Ericka Cockburn of Sioux Falls, SD; mother-in-law, Frances Florke of Sergeant Bluff; and several sisters and brothers-in-law and nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and two brothers, George and Dean; father-in-law, Willie Florke and a sister-in-law.

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