Cleo Richard

Cleo Joseph Richard, 96, of Chico, CA, died on Thursday, Aug. 30, 2012 at his home. Cleo was born Dec. 4, 1915 to Emil and Helen Richard in Fargo, North Dakota. He was one of eleven children. He was united in marriage to Yvonne J. Lambert on June 11, 1941, in St. Claude, Manitoba, Canada. Upon marriage, he began farming his father's farm in Hickson, North Dakota. In 1954, he moved his family to Chico and began working for Mitchell Avionics. He was a matchbook printing press operator for Diamond Match Co. for 16 years. After the Chico Division closed, he worked for A. Volpato Inc. Auto Sales until his retirement. To supplement his income before retirement, he worked as a ranch hand for Schell Ranch for 21 years. After retirement, he enjoyed hobbies of gardening and woodcrafting. He was a dedicated and committed husband and father, as well as a faithful and devoted member of the Catholic Church. He is preceded in death by his wife, Yvonne of 67 years; a son, Dennis; two grandchildren and nine siblings. He is survived by his ten children, Lucille West, Junction City, OR; Doris Neal, Willow Creek, CA; Helen Main, Chico; Pauline McMullen, Fonda, IA; Evelyn Eames, Idaho Falls, ID; Rita Bird, Chico; Joseph Richard, Chico; Barbara Persinger, Meeker, CO; Susan Stout, Paradise; Michael Richard, Chico; 21 grandchildren and 24 great-grandchildren. Visitation will be held on Thursday, Sept. 6, 2012 from 5-8 p.m. at the Brusie Funeral Home. A Rosary will be recited on Friday, Sept. 7, 2012 at 11:00 a.m., preceding a Mass of Christian Burial at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Chico. Burial will be at Glen Oaks Memorial Park Cemetery in Chico.