DAYTON - Richard "Gene" Grossnickle, 78, of Dayton, Iowa, died Friday evening, November 7, 2008, at his home in Dayton surrounded by his family.

Funeral services will be 12:00 noon, Tuesday, November 11, 2008, at the United Methodist Church in Dayton. Rev. Keith Putney will officiate. Burial will be at West Lawn Cemetery in Lehigh, with Military Graveside Rites performed by the Iowa Air National Guard. Visitation will be Monday, from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m., at Carson Stapp Funeral Home in Dayton.

Richard Eugene Grossnickle was born on August 21, 1930, in Emmetsburg, Iowa, the son of William and Mary (Williams) Grossnickle. He attended Lehigh schools prior to working at Tobin's Meat Packing Plant in Fort Dodge from 1949 to 1951. Gene enlisted in the United States Army in May of 1951, and served his country during the Korean War. Following his return from the service, Gene worked at Hormel's in Fort Dodge from 1953 until retiring in 1982, and was a member of the Local P31. He was united in marriage to Elizabeth Andrews in February of 1961, in Fort Dodge. The couple had lived in Evanston, Lehigh and Dayton.

Gene was an avid Chicago Cubs fan. His favorite pastimes included coon hunting and fishing. Most of all he enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren and attending their athletic events.

Survivors include his wife, Elizabeth Grossnickle of Dayton, Iowa; two sons, Lonnie (Shawn) Grossnickle of Burnside, Iowa, and Ron (Deana) Grossnickle of Lehigh, Iowa; six grandchildren, Paul, Travis, Aaron, Brandie, Dustin, and Breanna; one sister, Shirley Andrews of Evanston, Iowa; two brothers, Jerry (Dorothy) Grossnickle of Lehigh, Iowa, and Darrel (Sandy) Grossnickle of Fort Dodge, Iowa; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; six sisters, Rosella Evans, Beulah Sturges, Frances Mundus, Evelyn Grossnickle, Loretta Andrews, and Lucille Johnson; and three brothers, Earl, Virgil, and William Grossnickle.

Memorials may be left to the discretion of the family.