Obituary of Richard John Salemink
Richard John Salemink, 93, of Letts, passed away suddenly at the VA Hospital in Iowa City on Thursday, February 28, 2019. Funeral Mass will be held on Saturday, March 9, 2019 at 11:00 A.M. within Gannon Hall at St. Mathias Church, Muscatine. Visitation will be held on Friday, March 8, 2019 from 5:00 - 7:00 P.M. with a 7:00 P.M. rosary prayer service at the Geo. M. Wittich-Lewis Home for Funeral and Cremation Services in Muscatine. Inurnment will be held in Letts Cemetery with military rites by the combined units of the V.F.W. Post 1565 and American Legion Post #27. Memorials may be made to Holden Cancer Center at the University of Iowa in Richard’s name. Online condolences may be left at www.lewisfuneralhomes.com.
Richard John Salemink was born July 17, 1925 to Henry W. and Dora M. Epping Salemink at Nichols, Iowa. He married Wanda Lee on August 5, 1956; they were the parents of two children, Dennis Allen and Diana Lynn.
He graduated from Nichols High School in 1943. He was drafted and served his country from 1943 to 1946 with the 106th Infantry Division in northern France, Battle of the Bulge, and the occupation of Germany. He was awarded the combat infantry badge, the bronze star, and four major battle stars. After he was discharged, he went to Chicago to work and attended trade school in 1947 and 1948. He was then called to service in Korea in 1950 and 1951; he was awarded the Korean Service Medal and three battle stars.
He was a mechanic and truck driver for several years and retired from Thermogas Company in 1990 after 27 years. Mr. Salemink was a cancer survivor, having undergone surgery and treatment for esophageal cancer at the University of Iowa in 2004. He enjoyed golfing and working on anything mechanical in his shop at home, helping a farmer friend at harvest time, and spending winters in Lakeland, Florida for several years.
He is survived by his son Dennis and wife, Nancy of Washington, Iowa; five grandchildren; ten great grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, Wanda and daughter, Diana.
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