White Funeral Home
400 First Street West
Independence, Iowa 50644

Independence – Richard P. Stanek, 91 years old, of Independence, Iowa, died on Friday, March 8, 2019, surrounded by family members at Covenant Medical Center in Waterloo, Iowa.  He was born on September 24, 1927 , in Toddville , Iowa , the son of Paul George and Janie Sarah (Bowers) Stanek.  He attended the Buchanan County country schools.  He farmed for many years outside of Hazleton , Iowa , with his father and mother.  Then, when he retired, he came to live with his brother and sister-in-law, Wes and Idamae Stanek in Independence .  He had several nicknames, Spunk, Birdie, and Sparky, given to him by family members and responded to every one of them with a smile on his face.

They say you can take someone off of the farm, but never take the farm out of them.  Rich loved going to his nephews’ acreage with Wes every time he had a chance.  Rich was loved by all and will be deeply missed.  He had many nieces and nephews and enjoyed Thanksgiving and Christmas time when they all came home.  He has instilled a lot of great memories with his family which will be remembered for years to come.

Rich is survived by 2 brothers, Wes (Idamae) Stanek of Independence, and Ralph (Janice) Stanek of Marion, Iowa, and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, 2 sisters, Rita Washburn and Gladys Hilsenbech, and 1 great niece, Lily Thompson.

Funeral Services will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, March 13, 2019 , at the White Funeral Home in Independence with Pastor John Sheda officiating.  Burial will be in Dunkard Cemetery in Midway, Iowa .  Friends may call for visitation from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. on Tuesday, March 12^th, at the funeral home.