Richard H. Ehrler (1948-2021)

EHRLER

Posted By: Ken Wright (email)
Date: 5/23/2021 at 17:43:29

Richard H. Ehrler, 73, of DeWitt, died late Monday evening, April 12, 2021, at Westwing Place, DeWitt, following a brief illness.

Richard Howard Ehrler was born Feb. 5, 1948, in Dubuque to Howard and Patricia (Naney) Ehrler. Rick was a 1966 graduate of Central Community Schools, DeWitt. He received a Bachelor’s Degree in Art and Physical Education from Wayne State College, Wayne, Nebraska. On Aug. 16, 1969, Rick was united in marriage to Dianne Steward at First Congregational United Church of Christ, DeWitt. The couple resided in DeWitt where they raised their family. Rick taught and coached in the Clinton School System for over 30 years until retirement.

As an avid outdoorsman, Rick loved fishing and hunting. He especially enjoyed being outdoors, teaching his grandchildren how to fish and hunt, and made every effort to attend their many events. Rick was a member of First Congregational United Church of Christ, DeWitt where he served in many capacities. He was also a longtime member of DeWitt Bowman, Izaak Walton League, Ducks Unlimited-Wapsi Bottom Chapter and Waterfowl USA. Rick was also an active instructor with Iowa Hunter Safety Programs.

Surviving are his loving wife of 51 years, Dianne; children and their spouses, Angela and Michael Hofer of DeWitt and Eric and Cheryl Ehrler of Bettendorf; grandchildren, Logan and Reagan Hofer and Ezekiel and Julia Ehrler; sisters, Margot (Craig) Stender of Littleton, Colorado, and Lisa Hilliker of Cheyenne, Wyoming; a sister-in-law, Karla Ehrler of Bettendorf, nieces and nephews.

Preceding Rick in death were his parents; an infant brother, Brian; a brother, Stephen; a sister, Kristen Bruns; his mother-in-law, Ioma Steward; a sister-in-law, Bonnie Welch and a brother-in-law, Larry Steward.

The family will receive relatives and friends at Schultz Funeral Home, DeWitt from 4:00 until 7:00 p.m. Thursday, April 15, 2021. A service will be held at 2:00 p.m. Friday, April 16, 2021, in the funeral home. Pastor Chris Marlin-Warfield and Pastor Dianne Prichard will officiate. Burial will follow at Elmwood Cemetery, DeWitt. Memorials are suggested to the DeWitt Referral Center Building Fund or Central DeWitt Special Olympics.

Pallbearers will be Mark Glover, Mark Kapusinski, Richard Grugin, James Moore, Bob Vroegh and Marv Grager. Honorary pallbearers will be Robert Hansen, Bob Owens, Glen Hedick and Don Clapp.