Richard 'Dick' Cooley

McFarland -- Richard Dick' Cooley, age 79, passed away at his home in Madison, surrounded by family and friends, on Friday, May 14, 2010.  He was born in Fennimore on March 28, 1931, a son of the late Lewis and Alberta (Bowes) Cooley.  Dick graduated from Central High School in 1949, and served his country in the Marine Corps from January 1951 to December 1952.  On June 27, 1951, he was united in marriage to Patricia  C. Bohne.  Dick worked in the Floor Covering business all of his life, retiring from Serginians Floor Covering in Madison.  He and his family were long time residents of McFarland.  Dick spent his summers shooting trap with friends and family.  He loved to hunt and fish, and enjoyed snowmobiling and riding his ATV in the woods at Tomahawk with his sister-in-law and best friend Jackie Bohne.  Both avid Packer fans, they attended many Badger football and hockey games.  He had great times playing cards with family and friends.  Dick was a hardworking self professed scullery maid' in the kitchen of the VFW Hall in Cottage Grove.  He was a well loved grandpa to all of his grandchildren.  According to his family and friends, he made the absolute best grilled garlic chicken.  Dick was an honorary member of VFW Post 7591, a member of American Legion Post 0534 for 18 years, and a member of Hope Rod and Gun Club.  He is survived by four children, Richard (Jacalyn) Cooley, Patricia Cooley, James (Tammy) Cooley and Doreen (Jim) Whitcomb; nine grandchildren, Angela (Shane) Roberts, David (Cheyenne) Cooley, Trevor, Richelle and Cole Cooley, Marsha and Mitchell Whitcomb, and Billy Joe (Kaia) and Lucas (Debbie) Boettcher; and six great grandchildren, Shianne, Annabelle, William, Cassidy, Emma and Olivia.  Dick was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Pat, in 2004; infant grandson, Shawn; three brothers, Bill, Gordon and Tom Cooley; and sister, Dolores Hillery.  A memorial service will be held on Thursday, May 20, 2010 at noon at the Olson-Holzhuter-Cress Funeral Home in McFarland, with Rev. John Ruppenthal of Trinity Lutheran Church officiating.  The service will begin with a Pass and Review by American Legion and VFW members and auxiliaries.  Following the service, Military Rites will be performed by the Madison Area Firing Squad at the McFarland American Legion Hall, followed by a luncheon.  The family will greet friends at the funeral home on Thursday from 10:00 am until noon.  Special thanks to the Physicians and staff of HospiceCare Inc of Madison, and the Carbone Cancer Center.  In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to either of those organizations.