Dr Richard Leslie Hackler

July 31-1934 to November 3, 2024

Dr Richard Leslie Hackler passed away Sunday, November 3, 2024 at Mercy Hospital with his family by his side.  He was very loved and cherished by his family and they will miss him terribly.

Richard was born July 31, 1934 to L. G. “Hack” Hackler and Alice Milstead Hackler.  L.G. and Alice didn’t think they would be able to have children so they were overjoyed and thrilled when Richard was born.   They raised him in several different areas of Missouri before settling in Clinton, MO. Richard attended  Clinton High School where he was a standout on the baseball team.  From there he went on to Kansas State University where he played baseball and was drafted by the St Louis Cardinals. Instead of going on to the big leagues he decided to go to veterinary school at Kansas State University.   From there he went on to work for the USDA until his retirement.  He also served in the army branch of the military at Fort Jay in New York and was a part of the Army National Guard.

Richard was married to Shirley J Hackler who he loving called June. They raised 4 children together in Rogersville, MO. He and Shirley helped start the Logan Rogersville Booster Club while their children attended Rogersville schools.  He was a member of High Street Baptist church where he was president of the Companion Class for over 50 years. Being involved in the Companion Class was one of his greatest joys. He loved sports especially when it came to the Kansas State Wildcats and his Dallas Cowboy Football team.  He also loved working in his yard, gardening, mexican food, hunting, taking his grandsons fishing, dancing with his granddaughters and his weekly trips to Steak N Shake for breakfast with friends.

Richard was preceded in death by his parents, his in-laws G.B. and Meck Mason, a son Billy Hackler and a grandson Cody Hackler.  Richard leaves behind his wife, Shirley, son Greg Hackler, daughter Lisa Dunton and husband Bill,and daughter Leslie Whitehead and husband Zach. Grandchildren Lindsey Hackler, Jordan Hackler and wife Brooklyn, Drew Dunton and wife Hailey, Hannah Hackler, Allie Dunton and Mason Whitehead.  Great grandchildren Colten, Austyn, Brooklyn, Alexander, Noah, Rose, Oliva and Harper June.

Richard loved the Lord and always found a way to share his faith with others. He wanted to make sure that everyone he loved and came in contact with knew the Lord as their Savior.  He was so very loved by his family and friends he will be greatly missed. His family is heartbroken but rejoices in the fact that he is with the Lord that he loved and we will see him again.

Services for Richard will be at 11:00 am Thursday, November 7, 2024 at High Street Baptist Church. Interment with full military honors will follow at Greenlawn Memorial Gardens. Visitation will be from 5:00 to 7:00 pm Wednesday, November 6, 2024 at Greenlawn Funeral Home East.

In lieu of flowers, the family would ask that donations be made to the Development Center of the Ozarks where Richardson’s grandson, Cody, attended.  DCO-1645 E. Pythian Street Springfield MO 65802