Richard W. Davis

A celebration of life service for Richard W. Davis, 89, of Chariton will be held Monday, January 5, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at the Pierschbacher Funeral Home in Chariton. Family will receive friends prior to the service beginning at 10:00 a.m. A luncheon will be held following the service for a continued time of visiting and fellowship. Interment will be at the Memorial Lawn Cemetery in Ottumwa.
Memorials in Richard's name may be made to the Chariton Disciples of Christ Church.
On November 7, 1936, Richard was born in Coatsville, Missouri, to Charles and Vera (Adamson) Davis. He grew up in Missouri and his family later moved to Ottumwa, Iowa, where he graduated high school with the class of 1956.
The same year Richard graduated was the same year he joined the Army. He served as a helicopter and airplane mechanic up until 1977 when he retired from the service. He was a proud veteran and had been stationed all over the world including spending time in Germany and Vietnam.
Richard met the love of his life, Mary Greene at the police department while she was working as the clerk. On February 2, 1962, the couple were married and spent 63 wonderful years raising a family and creating a wonderful life for themselves. The couple loved to spend time traveling together.
Any chance that Richard got to help or talk to people, he took it. He always took the time to get to know someone and never knew a stranger. He loved helping out at Chariton Ford, which was also another place Richard got a chance to see and talk to people. If you knew Richard, you knew he loved to play jokes and had a great sense of humor.
Richard passed away December 31, 2025, surrounded by family at the Lucas County Health Center. Preceding him in death were his parents: Charles and Vera Davis; and siblings: Stewart Davis and Carolyn Kane.
Richard will be greatly missed by his wife, Mary; children: Melissa (Alan) Davis-Burkhiser and Noel (Ron) King; grandchildren: Dillon (Ashley) Davis and Sara (Matt) Butcher; great grandchildren: Zeondra Butcher, Wyatt Davis, and Brookson Davis; sister, Katherine Babitt; and a host of relatives and friends. To send flowers to the family of Richard, please visit our floral store.