Richard McAllister

Richard L. McAllister, 80, of Mt. Pleasant, IA, died Sunday, January 6, 2013, at the Park Place Long Term Care Unit in Mt. Pleasant. Visitation will be held on Friday, January 11, 2013, beginning at noon at the Olson - Powell Memorial Chapel. The family will receive friends from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. that evening. A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, January 12th at 1 p.m. at the Memorial Chapel with Pastor Bryan Katchay officiating. Interment will be at the Forest Home Cemetery with full military rites. In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established to the Mt. Pleasant Girls' Softball Association or to the donor's choice. The son of Everett Leo and Flora Grace (Peterson) McAllister, Richard Louis was born March 21, 1932, in Fairfield, IA. He attended Lockridge High School and graduated in 1950. On November 27, 1953, he married Donna Belle Ackles in Iowa City, IA. She preceded him in death on April 18, 1997. Richard served his country in the United States Army for 2 years during the Korean War. Moving to Mt. Pleasant in 1955, Richard worked as a carpenter at the Iowa Army Ammunition Plant in Middletown, IA. He retired after 43 years and was a supervisor. A founding member of the Mt. Pleasant Girls' Softball Association, McAllister Field was named in his honor. Richard was a 25 year member of the Henry County Rescue Squad, and a member of the Mt. Pleasant Police Reserve. Other organizations include a lifetime member of the American Angus Association, a charter member of the Iowa City Coin Club, and memberships to the Farm Bureau, American Legion Post #58, and Mt. Pleasant Moose Lodge #1003. He held offices in the Southeast Iowa Area Agency on Aging and the New London Country Club. He was a longtime volunteer at Midwest Old Threshers, and a member of Southeast Iowa Antique Car Association. Survivors include two daughters, Cynthia Diane (Brett) Hill of Danville, IA, and Mary (Michael) McLerran of New London, IA; five grandchildren, Barbara and Anthony Barrett, Andrew and Ryan McLerran, and Ashley Carr; two great-granddaughters, RieLynn Barrett and Kirra Ekle; a special friend, Ann Benda of Ft. Madison, IA; two sisters, JoAnn (Roy) Howe of Oquawka, IL, and Dorothy (Gary) Swanson of West Burlington, IA; and one brother, Francis (Mary) McAllister of Burlington, IA. Preceding Richard in death were his parents, and his wife, Donna Belle.