Richard Paul Witherow, age 78, of Baring, MO, died peacefully on Thursday, September 28, 2023, in the Knox County Nursing Home in Edina, MO.  He was born February 5, 1945, in Kirksville, MO, the son of Cletus Paul and Mary Edna Delaney Witherow.

Richard was united in marriage to Pamela Sue Pulse on March 15, 1975, at St. Aloysius Church in Baring, MO.  To this union were born two sons, Shawn Richard and Shane Matthew.

Surviving are his wife Pam Witherow of Baring, MO, two sons, Shawn Witherow and his wife Mindy of Baring, MO, Shane Witherow and his wife Rachael of Baring, MO, four grandchildren, Cutter Paul Witherow, Landon Reed Witherow, Lindley Abigail Witherow and Reata Rose Witherow, his mother-in-law Helen Pulse of Edina, MO, two brothers-in-law, Dennis Bradley of Novelty, MO, Mike Pulse of Plevna, MO, two nieces and two nephews-in-law and seven great nephews-in-law.  Richard was preceded in death by his parents and uncle Leon and aunt Faye (Sprague) Witherow.

Richard grew up in rural Baring, attended Baring Elementary School and graduated from Baring High School in 1963, where he was Salutatorian and Vice President of his Senior Class.  Richard was a member of the St. Aloysius Church and board member of the St. Aloysius Cemetery.  He was a member of the Baring Volunteer Fire Department where he had served as Fire Chief for fifteen years retiring in 2023.  Richard was also a member of the Missouri Land Improvement Contractors Association and a past member of the Knox County Ambulance Board and the Knox County School Board.

Richard was a lifelong resident of Knox County where he was engaged in land improvement contracting for forty-eight years and farming all his life.  He loved his family and he enjoyed having his grandchildren around.  He loved Corvettes, John Deere tractors and Caterpillar bulldozers.

Funeral services will be held 10 a.m. Wednesday, October 4, 2023, in the Hudson-Rimer Funeral Home in Edina, MO.  Officiating the services will be Deacon Ken Berry and Lay Pastor Jeff Metcalf.

Burial will be in the St. Aloysius Catholic Cemetery in Baring, MO.

Casket bearers will be Larry Sykes, Ron York, Bob Ward, Marcus Stauffer, Ronnie Howe, Doug Palmer, Larry Burk, Ronnie Hamlin.

Honorary bearers will be members of the Baring Volunteer Fire Department.

Visitation will be held Tuesday, October 3, 2023, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the Hudson-Rimer Funeral Home in Edina, MO.

Memorials are suggested to the St. Aloysius Cemetery Association.  Memorials may be left at or mailed to the Hudson-Rimer Funeral Home, P.O. Box 1, Edina, MO 63537.