Richard Gail Wyatt, 74, of Fort Madison, formerly of Lomax, Ill., passed away at 10:34 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 11, 2025, at the Southeast Iowa Regional Medical Center in West Burlington.
Rich was born Jan. 28, 1950, in Fort Madison, Iowa, the son of Chester and Jacqueline (Brown) Wyatt. On April 26, 1970, he married Carla Jean Sparrow. They later divorced. On July 9, 1994, he married Kim Schroeder in Lomax.
Mr. Wyatt was a 1968 graduate of Dallas City High School. Following in his family business, he helped run the family homestead farm, Wyatt’s Dairy Farm, for over 40 years. He loved all aspects of farming, but especially loved spending his summers putting up hay. He enjoyed being the “tour guide” when local schools would visit the farm. He also worked for Exide Battery, General Electric, Iowa Army Ammunitions Plant and served as the Lomax Marshall for seven years. Rich served many years as a Lomax Township Trustee, on the West Central FS Board, Henderson County Farm Bureau Board and was active in Henderson County 4-H; as a participant, parent and livestock judge. He was a member of the Lomax Christian Church and Lomax Fire Department. When he wasn’t working or serving his community, he enjoyed attending rodeos, deer hunting and especially spending time with his family. He was a proud lifelong Republican.
Besides his wife, Kim, survivors include one daughter: Adonica (Michael) Gould of West Des Moines, Iowa; two stepsons: Jason (Michelle Talley) Webster of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and Jeremy (Beth) Webster of Lomax; nine grandchildren: Ann Gould of San Francisco, California, Thomas Gould of Geneva, Illinois, Helen Gould of West Des Moines, Iowa, Taylor (Christian) Smith of Cedar Rapids, Kelsey (Masin Shaullaw) Webster of Burlington, Gage Webster of Burlington, Brady Webster of Bentley, Illinois, Braxton Webster of Lomax and Bynna Poggemiller of Burlington; one great-grandson: Hendrix Shaullaw (with one more on the way) and four siblings: Doug (Lois) Wyatt of Dallas City, Don (Pam) Wyatt of Champaign, Illinois, Linda (Kevin) McQuade of Palm Springs, California and Robert Wyatt of Weslaco, Texas.
He was preceded in death by his parents and one brother, Daniel Wyatt.
Cremation has been entrusted to Banks & Beals Funeral Home.
A Celebration of Richard’s Life will be held from 2 to 6 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2025, at the Lomax Community Center, Lomax, Ill.
A memorial fund has been established for Shriners Hospital for Children or St Jude Children’s Research Hospital.