Richard Koellner 74 of rural Milton Iowa died Tuesday December 30 2008 while driving north out of Memphis Missouri on Highway 15.He was born November 1 1934 at Fort Madison Iowa to Benjamin Laborious and Catherine Pollmeier Koellner.He attended St. Marys Grade School in West Point Iowa graduating from eighth grade. He was a veteran serving in the U.S. Army with Company C 495th Engineering Battalion and discharged in 1962.Richard married Marjorie Therese Birchmier at St. Mary Magdalen Church in Bloomfield Iowa on June 29 1968 and to this union three sons were born.He was a farmer and raised cattle and hogs on his farm south of Milton Iowa until his retirement in 1991. He was a member and past president of the Farm Bureau a member of the Milton Heritage Society and a member of the Van Buren County Historical Society. He attended St. Johns Catholic Church in Memphis Missouri.He is survived by his wife Marjorie of the home three sons: Benjamin Koellner and his wife Meghan of Milton Iowa Timothy Koellner and special friend Lesa Waterman of Milton Iowa and James Koellner and his wife Kimberly of Eddyville Iowa. Also surviving are six grandchildren: Jason Rauch and his wife Kelly of Oskaloosa Iowa Trevor Koellner Milton Iowa Hannah Koellner Eddyville Iowa Alex Koellner Milton Iowa Tagen Koellner Milton Iowa Abby Koellner Milton Iowa a sister Celestine Sally Stowe of Fort Madison Iowa and many nieces nephews and friends.He was preceded in death by his parents three brothers: Carl Koellner Robert Koellner Joseph Koellner and three sisters: Genevieve Klesener Marcella Rabe and Mary Ann Dunmire.Visitation will open at the Memphis Funeral Home after 9 A.M. Friday January 2 2009 with the family present to greet friends and relatives between 6 and 8 P.M. The rosary will be recited at 8 P.M.Mass of Christian Burial will be held Saturday January 3 2009 at 10:30 A.M. at St.Johns Catholic Church in Memphis Missouri with Father Joseph Hoi and Father Bill Kottenstette concelebrating. Brent Karhoff will be the vocalist and organist will be Nancy Reardon. Burial will follow in South Prairie Cemetery in rural Van Buren County Iowa. Casket bearers will be Dennis Klesener Tom Klesener Jerry Rabe Curtis Short Blake Robison and Richard Kopera.Graveside military rites will be conducted by the Russell Strait Post #483 Milton American Legion.Memorials may be made to St. Johns Catholic Church Memphis or to the Milton Heritage House and may be left at or mailed to Memphis Funeral Home 378 South Market Street Memphis Missouri 63555.Online condolences may be sent to Richards family via mmphisfh@nemr.net.