Richard Westphal

Richard Orville Westphal, 92 year old, longtime Seminole resident passed from this life Sunday, January 18, 2015 in Seminole, Oklahoma.  He was born February 1, 1922 in Gorman, South Dakota to parents, Clarence Westphal and Margret “Maggie” (Rausch) Westphal. Mr. Westphal joined the United States of America Army Air Force where he served during World War II.  During his time in the service he had flown 51 missions over Germany.  He also earned the American Campaign Medal; Good Conduct Medal; Air Medal with 4 Oak Leaf Clusters; World War II Victory Medal; and the European-Africa-Middle Eastern Theater Ribbon with 2 Bronze Service Stars. Following his discharge from the military where he had earned the rank of Staff Sergeant, he went to work as a Dairy Farmer and Milk Producer in Central Oklahoma.  Mr. Westphal had also worked in Insurance Sales and in the Oklahoma Oilfields. Mr. Westphal was of the Baptist faith and was also a long standing member of the Dairy Farmers Association. On September 9, 1945 Mr. Westphal married the love of his life, Nola Faye Maloy, in Long Beach, California.  The couple were married for 64 years.  That’s when sadly, Nola Westphal, passed from this life in 2009. Mr. Westphal leaves to cherish his memory one son, David and his wife Mary Kay Westphal of Seminole, Oklahoma; three daughters, Linda and her husband Mike Palmer of Ada, Oklahoma, Paula and her husband Tom Briggs of Pottsboro, Texas, Patricia “Tricia” and her husband Mike Griffin of Wolf, Oklahoma; one brother, Henry Westphal of Gettysburg, South Dakota; 9 grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren; 2 great-great-grandchildren, and a host of other family and dear friends. Mr. Westphal is preceded in death by his parents, Clarence and Maggie Westphal, by his wife Nola Westpahl and by one brother, Maynard Westphal. A Celebration of Mr. Westphal’s life will be held 10:00 a.m., Friday, January 23, 2015 at Swearingen Funeral Home Chapel in Seminole, Oklahoma with Military Honors.  Interment will follow at Cummings Cemetery in Maud, Oklahoma with Rev. Sandy Harjo officiating the service. Casket Bearers will be, Scott Jackson, Tavis Westphal, Brent Griffin, Michael Palmer, Chad Kneeland, and David Griffin. Honorary Bearers will be, Tyler Hobbs, Roger Mabon, and Shane Ringels. Services are under the direction of Swearingen Funeral Home in Seminole, Oklahoma.   Funeral Information: January 23, 2015, 10:00 AM Swearingen Funeral Home Chapel - Seminole located at 1001 N. Milt Phillips Ave., Seminole, OK 74868