C. Richard Friedley

Dr. C. Richard Friedley, D.D.S., 98, of McPherson, Kansas, went to be with the Lord at 8:27 pm, March 27, 2025, while in the arms of his daughters at his home.

Charles Richard Friedley was the son of the late James and Mae (Snyder) Friedley and was born September 8, 1926, in Hillsdale, Pennsylvania. He was one of seven children born to this union: four daughters and three sons, LaRue, Richard, Nadine, Walter, Marjorie, Wayne and Berniece. He attended grade school in Hillsdale and high school in Cincinnati, Ohio.

On June 8, 1949, Richard was united in marriage to Pauline “Polly” Ruth (Colberg) in Chase, Kansas. This union was blessed with five daughters: Joy, Connie, Patricia, Sandra, and Tara.

Richard served three years in the Army with the 82nd Airborne as a paratrooper during World War II, and then two years during the Korean War. He attended the University of Cincinnati until transferring to McPherson College in 1949. He graduated in 1952, receiving a Bachelor of Science degree.

From 1952-1955, Richard had the opportunity to build several homes in Lyons and McPherson. In 1955, Richard and his family moved to Raytown, Missouri, so that he could attend school at the University of Missouri Kansas City (UMKC) where he graduated in 1959 with the degree of Doctor of Dental Surgery. During that time, he received another Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Missouri.

From 1959-1961, Richard served on the faculty of UMKC School of Dentistry and as a staff member of the Children’s Mercy Hospital in Kansas City. He was in private practice for 32 years in Raytown, Missouri.

Richard always had an interest in farming since he was a young boy. In 1971, he was able to fulfill that interest when he purchased land in central Kansas and farmed it for 50 years.

Richard committed his life to the Lord at age 22. He was a devoted Christian, loving and caring husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, son, brother, uncle, and friend. His life long mission was to follow Jesus and His direction in his life. His deepest desire was for all members of his family to know Jesus as their personal Savior and one day be reunited together in Heaven. His family was his happiness and joy.

Surviving family members include his daughters, Joy Boldt of Florida, Pat Boldt and her husband, Kennard, of McPherson, Kansas, Sandra Wagner of McPherson, Kansas, and Tara Kleinschmidt of McPherson, Kansas; his daughter-in-law, Jackie Oglesby of Buhler, Kansas; his 11 grandchildren: Glenn Boldt, Javon Boldt, Janette Hand and her husband, Gene, Nicholas Ogelsby and his wife, Kari, Christina Young and her husband, Yancy, Rachel Branam and her husband, Nick, Sarah Boldt, Kendra Emery and her husband, Tyler, Aubree Behm and her husband, Nick, Larissa Lucero and her husband, Nathan, and Shiloh Risetter and her wife, Megan; three step-grandchildren, Anthony, Loren, and C.W. Kleinschmidt; his 24 great-grandchildren: Violet Oglesby; Lincoln, Abel, Genevieve, Shepherd, Guinevere, Sebastin, Callahan, Hildegard, and McCoy Young; Isaac, Collin, Adah, and Alayna Branam; Jonas, Megan, Lydia, and Grace Emery; Remmington, Arabelle, and Liberty Behm; Rhema Lucero; Wrenley and Hendrix Risetter; 5 step-great-grandchildren: Eli, Emmitt, Magnolia, Rylee, and Emmirelle Kleinschmidt; many nieces and nephews, other relatives, and a host of friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Pauline; a daughter, Connie Kay Oglesby; sons-in-law, LaVonne Boldt, Timothy Oglesby and Bruce Wagner; his sisters, LaRue Friedley, Marjorie Contrell, Nadine Barrett, and Berniece Zaveson; his brothers, Walter and Wayne; and great-grandson, Zachary Behm.

The family will receive friends from 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM, Monday, April 14, 2025, at Stockham Family Funeral Home. A Celebration of Life service will be held at 11:00 AM, Tuesday, April 15, at Countryside Covenant Church, McPherson, with a lunch to follow. A live-stream link will be posted closer to the service date. A private burial with Military Honors will be held prior to the service at McPherson Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to Tunnel To Towers Foundation or the Samaritan’s Purse in care of Stockham Family Funeral Home, 205 North Chestnut, McPherson, KS 67460.