Richard Ferguson

Richard Harry Ferguson, 72, of Laurel, Iowa, went home to be with his Heavenly Father on Christmas Eve, 2008 while at home in the care of his loving family and Iowa River Hospice. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Monday, December 29th, at the Fellowship Baptist Church. There will be a time of fellowship and refreshments immediately following the funeral, but prior to burial in the Graceland Cemetery at Laurel. Memorials may be directed to the family under "Richard Ferguson Memorial Fund." Visitation will be held from 2-4:00 p.m. Sunday at the Fellowship Baptist Church. For condolences, please visit www.mitchellfh.com. The Mitchell Family Funeral Home is caring for Richard and his family. ph 641-844-1234.Richard graduated from Laurel High School in 1955 and farmed in the Laurel area until 1981. Richard then went on to become an outstanding salesman for several state and national companies, spending the last 15 years as Area Sales Director for Merschman Seeds of Westpoint, Iowa. Richard also served several years on the board of Covenant Foundation College, served on the General Board of the Church of the Bible Covenant, and more recently served with Prison Fellowship Ministries (Inter-faith Freedom Initiative), working faithfully at the Newton Prison. He was also a member of the Laurel Telephone Board and the Graceland Cemetery Board, was a Township Committeeman, and attended Fellowship Baptist Church.Richard is survived by his wife of 51 years, Nancy, their children and grandchildren: (daughter) Canda & Allen Patterson of McCall, ID and their children Jessica & Jon Welch of Portersville, PA; Cameron, Seth & Brendan; (son) Curt & Laura Ferguson of Salem, IL and their children LaRae & Rachelle; (daughter) Carma & Dan Miller of Salem, IL; (sister) Ruth (the late Ron) Reutter of Ogden, IA; (sister) Dorothy Ferguson & Joe Hineman of Des Moines, IA and many other family members & friends.Richard was preceded in death by his parents, Harry & Minnie (Ellerbrock) Ferguson and a baby sister, Charlotte Mary.