Richard Artie McMichael, 85, a lifelong resident of Farnam died Dec. 26, 1999, at his home.

He was born June 4, 1914, to Richard Clifford and Julia Anna McCarl McMichael on the McMichael homestead near Orafino in Frontier County. He attended a country school south of the homestead until he graduated from eighth grade. He then worked with his family on the farm.

On Oct. 23, 1937, he married Ora May Clement. They had three children. They tried dry land farming two miles north of Farnam until they moved to town in 1947. He and his brother, Alvin, bought Hazen's Blacksmith shop and operated it as McMichael's Repair Shop. In 1949, he went to work for the State of Nebraska and moved his family to Elwood until 1952, when they returned to Farnam. He operated the State Road grader until 1961. Then he started operating the Dawson County road grader until he retired in 1979. He was given a special award for his many years of service.

Mr. McMichael was a member of Oddfellow Lodge 173 of Stockville, formerly of Farnam, and the Farnam Volunteer Fire Department. He enjoyed his family, friends, fishing and camping. He also enjoyed many hours of playing music on his fiddle and accordion, which he loved to play when he wasn't dancing.

He is survived by his wife; a daughter, Janet Steuerwald of Farnam; a son, Meryl (Sharon) of Gothenburg; three sisters, Mildred Adkisson of Farnam, Julia (Ray) Schneider of Hermiston, Ore., and Ruth (Ed) Hoppe of Moorefield; a brother, Clifford "Junior" (Betty) of Hermiston; two brothers-in-law, Les (Bonnie) Beck of Cozad and Zane (Darlene) Craig of Hemmingford; a son-in-law, LeRoy Thomas of Georgetown, Texas; eight grandchildren; many great-grandchildren; and nieces, nephews and friends.

He was preceded in death by a daughter, Julia Fern Thomas; his parents; five sisters, Elsie M. Phillips, Elma L Calhoon, Mary V. Beck, Velma A. Phillips and Ethel Craig; two brothers, Alvin and Herbert P.; a sister-in-law, Eva McMichael; three brothers-in-law, August Phillips, Stanley Calhoon and Benjamin Phillips; a grandson, Marty Thomas; and a great-granddaughter, Jessica VanAcker.

Services will be at 2 p.m. Thursday at Blase Memorial Chapel in Gothenburg with Pastor Shirley Carpenter officiating. Burial will be in the Farnam Cemetery with services by Oddfellows Lodge 179.

The North Platte Telegraph, December 28, 1999