Richard Palone

(From Hedge-Lewis-Goodwin Funeral Home)

Richard Henry Palone, age 88, of Alba, Missouri, passed away on June 20, 2026 at the Missouri Veterans Home in Mount Vernon, MO. Richard, son of Woodrow and Pauline (Edwards) Palone, was born March 25, 1938, in Reedley, CA and grew up in Carthage, MO. Following graduation from Carthage High School in 1956, he was awarded a football scholarship to attend Joplin Junior College. He joined the Army in 1958. After being Honorably Discharged, he returned to Carthage and there met his wife, Deanna Betebenner. They were married on June 25, 1960 at Alba Christian Church. She preceded him in death in 2022.

They are preceded in death by their firstborn son, Richard Mark Palone and daughter-in-law Shawna A. Palone.

He is survived by son, Wade L. Palone, daughter Lisa D. Passley (Danny); grandchildren, Lacey Passley, Anna Passley, Cheyann Meador (Jonathan), and Tucker Palone (Samantha); great-grandchildren Corbyn, Berklee, and Markus Palone, and Wren Meador; brother Woodrow “Pete Jr.” Palone (Caroline), sister Catherine “Susie” Rosser, and numerous nieces, nephews, and friends. In addition to his parents, Richard is also preceded in death by his sister Virlinda (Ed) Trimble; sisters-in-law Rose (CL) Powell, JoAnn Betebenner, Betty (John) Epperson, and Mary Frances Betebenner; brothers-in-law Claude “Son” (Ada), Rod, Jon, Larry, and Bob Betebenner; mother- and father-in-law Opal and Claude “Duck” Betebenner.

Richard had many achievements throughout his life. He was a member of the 1955 Carthage Tigers football Conference Championship team and was awarded the title of All-Conference Guard. He proudly served in the United States Army from January 1958 to December 1959 as a 2nd Class Gunner and Sharpshooter. During his service, he was stationed at Spandau Prison in West Berlin, Germany as a prison guard. Richard was an employee of Big Smith in Carthage, MO where he was an over-the-road truck driver. He later worked at Schreiber Foods and Hercules Powder Company. He was at work on July 14, 1966 during the historic blast. He retired in 1998. Richard was a member of the Masonic Criterion Lodge #586 in Alba, MO. For well over 50 years, he proudly served as a Master Mason serving in numerous offices, as well as mentoring new members with their lodge work. He, along with the elders, helped with the transfer of the downtown lodge to the new hall. His father Woodrow, son, Wade, son-in-law, Danny, and grandson, Tucker served alongside him.

Richard loved his family deeply. Together, he and Deanna enjoyed weekend camping trips, family vacations, antiquing, and traveling many places throughout their marriage. He was an active member of Alba Friends Church serving the Lord, always willing to lend a hand. He faithfully served up his famous chili at the church fundraisers and his scratch breakfast gravy for the local Men’s Prayer breakfasts for many years.

Richard met many people when he volunteered to cook at the Webb City Senior Center and through delivering Meals on Wheels.

During his lifetime Richard enjoyed quite a variety of hobbies. He always had a garden and loved sharing the harvest each summer. He spent many hours on various local lakes in his boat fishing. He organized over 55 yearly trips to Lake of the Woods in Nestor Falls, Ontario, Canada with friends and family. He was able to take his father, brother, son, son-in-law, daughter, granddaughters Anna and Lacey, and grandson, Tucker. He was an avid outdoorsman enjoying water sports, swimming, hunting, yard sales, and soaking up the sun.

If you know a Palone, you know a deck of cards and quarters are nearby. Many Saturday nights were spent with his friends in the Poker Shack. Many hours were spent around a table playing a card game of Casino, 31, or dominos. He enjoyed making stops at Oklahoma casinos for free soft drinks and to make an in-kind donation when traveling to Texas to see his siblings.

Richard was known for many talents, but his love of family really stood out. He was fortunate enough to spend many years with all his grandchildren and would beam with pride when talking about them.

The family would like to acknowledge and express gratitude to the devoted staff at the Missouri Veterans Home for the wonderful care Richard received.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made in Richard’s name to Purcell Friends Cemetery. A celebration of life service will be held at Alba Friends Church on Saturday, June 27th at 1:00pm.