Richard A. "Shorty" Verheyden, 76, Howard, passed away peacefully on Monday, December 19, 2022, after a hard-fought battle with Parkinson's disease. Richard was born in Green Bay on March 30, 1946, son of the late Earl and Geneva (Gerrits) Verheyden. On August 17, 1968, Richard married Mary Ann Schauer at St. John the Baptist Church in Howard.

Richard graduated from Pulaski High School in 1964, and joined the Army National Guard in 1965, serving 6 years and was honorably discharged in 1971. He started as a laborer at Howard Immel Inc and worked his way through a carpentry apprenticeship and up to construction supervisor, retiring from Immel Inc in 2008 after 43 years and working as a construction supervisor for the last 30 years.

He was a member and previous Grand Knight for the Knights of Columbus Council 6279, also a Fourth-Degree member of St. Jude Assembly 1724 and was an active member of St. John the Baptist Church in Howard. He volunteered as a Cub Scout, Webelos, and Boy Scout leader. He was an avid Green Bay Packer and Milwaukee Brewer fan.

Richard enjoyed hunting, fishing, bowling, golf, playing cards, spending time at the cottage on Waubee Lake in Lakewood, and watching his children and grandchildren play sports. He loved to travel, especially out to Oregon to visit his son and their family, Spring Creek Colony, Montana to visit the Walter's family, traveling with J&J Traveler's, and taking his dream trip to Alaska.

Richard will be missed by his wife of 54 years Mary Ann, his son Dr. James (Dr. Jean) Verheyden and their children James Paul, Elizabeth, and Eric, his daughter Christin (Jon) Waldburger, and their children Richard Jon (RJ) and Paul, one sister Carol (Richard) Hornick, one brother-in-law Gary (Janice} Schauer, his mother-in-law Elmira Schauer, nieces and nephews.

Richard was preceded in death by his parents, Earl and Geneva Verheyden, his father-in-law Paul Schauer along with his brother Ken (Pat) Verheyden.

Visitation will be held at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, 2597 Glendale Ave., (The entrance is directly across from BP gas station on Glendale Ave.) from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, January 7; Mass of Christian Burial to follow at 11:30 a.m. To send online condolences, please go to www.BlaneyFuneralHome.com .

The family would like to thank the staff at Cardinal Ridge Assisted Living for all their care and support and to the staff at ProMedica Hospice.

In honor of Richard, a memorial fund will be established to benefit a Parkinson Association.

A part of me has gone with him. Our goodbye is not forever. We both know we will be in each other's arms again in the presence of Our Lord. Love Mary Ann