Richard Strausser
June 22, 1920 — August 23, 2015
MIFFLINBURG – Richard Keith Strausser, Sr., 95, formerly of 1215 Centennial Rd., since 1948, entered into rest at 10:47 p.m., Sunday, August 23, 2015, surrounded by his family, at Buffalo Valley Lutheran Village, Lewisburg.
He was born June 22, 1920, in Shamokin, a son of the late Barbara Strausser. Richard was raised by his grandparents, Adam and Jane Strausser. On June 14, 1942, in Shamokin Dam, he married the former Leah P. Travers, who survives.
Richard was a graduate of Shamokin High School.
He served in the Army, 88th Infantry Division, during World War II, from October 20, 1942 until his honorable discharge November 9, 1945. Richard was decorated with the Bronze Star Medal, Combat Infantry Badge, and the World War II Victory Medal.
Richard was employed at Pennsylvania House Furniture, Lewisburg, for 45 years, until he retired in 1987, as a supervisor.
He was an active member of the Emanuel United Church of Christ, Penns Creek, since the 1940’s, where he served as a Sunday school teacher, president of the consistory, and assisted with the church dinners.
Richard authored many articles in industry magazines and developed a patented process for compound wood bending.
He was a member of the West Branch Manufacturer’s Association. Richard was a Penn State football fan, and enjoyed square dancing with the Penn Wheelers and Danjo Wheelers.
Surviving in addition to his wife of 73 years, are three sons and daughters-in-law, Richard K., Jr. and Lorna Strausser of Muncy, Gary M. and Catherine Strausser of Dublin, PA, and Glen P. and Donna Strausser of Rapid City, South Dakota; two daughters and one son-in-law, Nancy K. Gray of Enid, Oklahoma, and Barbara A. and Gary Gemberling of Mifflinburg; 11 grandchildren and their spouses, Kristopher Strausser, Annette Strausser, Sean and Megin Strausser, Laurette Strausser, Hope and Daren Hamen, Jeromy and Lori Haines, Angie Smith, Amanda Gray, Tanya and Jeff Starr, Joshua and Becca Gemberling, and Autumn and Kevin Shuck; 21 great grandchildren; 4 step grandchildren; 10 step great grandchildren; and 2 step great-great grandchildren.
Family and friends are welcome from 6 to 8 p.m., Friday, and 10 to 11 a.m., Saturday, at the Emanuel United Church of Christ, Penns Creek, where the funeral will be conducted at 11, with Pastor Amelia A. Price, officiating.
Burial will be in the Penns Creek Union Cemetery, with military honors by the Mifflinburg American Legion Post 410 and area veterans.
In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to either the Emanuel United Church of Christ, P.O. Box 117, Penns Creek, PA 17862, or the Union County Veterans 4th of July Committee, P.O. Box 544, Lewisburg, PA 17837.
Funeral arrangements are by Roupp Funeral Home, Inc., 8594 Old Turnpike Rd., Mifflinburg.