Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
Richard B. “Dick” “Cowboy” Staley, 80, Syracuse, was called home by our heavenly father at 4:32 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026, at Elkhart General Hospital.
He was born March 28, 1945, in Olney, Ill., to Gerald D. and Kathleen Smith Staley. On July 20, 1968, he married Shirley Jean Rurak Staley.
Surviving are his wife, Shirley, Syracuse; son, Shane Staley, Elkhart; grandchildren: Brittani Staley, Middlebury, and Logan Staley, Middlebury; three great-grandchildren: Riley, Carson and Chloe; a sister, Carolyn Pashea, Magnolia, Ky.; and niece, Melissa Pashea, Magnolia, Ky.
Preceding him in death were his parents and a son, Travis Staley.
Cowboy lived a full life: After graduating high school, he and two of his close high school friends, Terry Lile and Gerald Burd, father of (Billy Burd), joined the Air Force, on the buddy system. While serving in the Air Force (1963-1967), he met his beloved wife, Shirley in the upper New England states. They married in the late 1960s and moved to the Northern Indiana area, Syracuse. In college, he majored in forestry. He worked for many years in the trailer industry. Being a talented craftsman, he and close friends helped build their home in Syracuse, where he resided until the Lord called him home. Unsure of the year, he landed his last employer, Zimmer Biomet, where he invested wisely and was able to retire in 2001, at the young age of 51 and enjoyed life. Cowboy loved his family, friends, and Furbabies and spent time with them all, every chance he would get. He loved to laugh, smile and give someone else a smile. He and his wife and family loved traveling. Their travels took them to Europe, Canada and several of the U.S. states, as well. Cowboy was a gunsmith for several years in the Northern Indiana area and an avid fisherman, and guide on the local lakes in Syracuse, surrounding areas and Lake Michigan. He loved nature, the outdoors, boating and camping. Cowboy never met a stranger and loved to talk. He was the type of person who would give the shirt off his back, and would help anyone in need. His hearty laugh and precious smile will be dearly missed.
A celebration of life will be noon to 2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 17 followed by a memorial service at 2 p.m., all at Rieth Rohrer Ehret Funeral Home, 311 S. Main St., Goshen. Pastor Marc Stutzman will officiate.
Memorial donations may be directed to Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund, 1530 Wilson Blvd., Suite 550, Arlington, VA 22209
Online condolences may be sent at www.rrefh.com.
