Visitation: Family will greet visitors one hour prior to the service.

Service: A Celebration of Richard’s Life will begin at 2:30 p.m. Monday, May 18, 2026 at Canton Lutheran Church, Canton, SD.

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Richard (Dick) died on December 21, 2025 in Las Cruces, NM where he and his wife, Clarice, had lived for many years. He was born on April 19, 1929 in Dubuque, Iowa to Laura (Nagel) Irons and Nevin Irons. He lived in Clayton, Iowa until 1941 when his family moved to New Hampton, Iowa. Dick graduated from high school in 1946 at the age of 17. After graduation, he immediately enlisted in the U.S. Army and was sent to Japan as part of the occupation troops. When he returned home from Japan in 1948, he joined the U.S. Army Reserves. Dick became a student at Hamilton Business College in Mason City, Iowa until he was called back into the Army to serve in Korea in 1950 for eleven months.

After his discharge from the US Army he came home to Canton, SD where his parents had moved to in 1950. On July 12, 1952 Dick married Evelyn Kluver, who he had met while he was a student at business college in Mason City. They were married until 1959 when Evelyn unexpectedly died leaving three young children. In 1960 Dick began his career in the Canton post office where he retired in 1988 as the postmaster.

Dick married Clarice Byrnes on June 10, 1967 and he later adopted her two sons. Dick and Clarice celebrated 58 years of marriage and loved traveling together in their RV for many years.

Dick was a past Master of Silver Star Lodge #4, past Commander of the V.F.W. Post 3164 in Canton, a member of the National Association of Retired Federal Employees (NARFE), and a member of the United Postmasters Association (UPMA). He volunteered in his retirement for several years at Memorial Hospital in Las Cruces, NM, and also volunteered at Mountain View Regional Medical Center. He was a longtime member of Canton Lutheran Church and later was a member of Peace Lutheran Church in Las Cruces.

Richard was preceded in death by his parents, his first wife, Evelyn, and a brother who died at birth.

He is survived by his wife, Clarice (Engman) Irons, of Santa Fe, NM, daughter, Julie (Doug) Verley of Canton, SD, sons David (Nancy) Irons of Amelia, OH, Timothy from Sioux Falls, SD, Marshall Irons from Denver, CO, and Barry (Jean) Irons of Santa Fe, NM; grandchildren Laura (Steve) Blankenship, Rachel Verley, Brian (Megan) Verley, Grant Irons, Laura Irons, Mitchell Irons, Bridger Irons, Ben Irons and Sam Irons and five great grandchildren. Other survivors include his brother, Eugene (Gwen) Irons from Mesa, AZ and his sisters-in-law, Eleanor Kluver and Glenys (Dale) Bird.

Visitation will be held at Canton Lutheran Church, Canton, SD on Monday, May 18^th at 1:30 PM with a memorial service following at 2:30 PM. Refreshments and dessert will be served in the church library after the service. Memorials may be given to Canton Lutheran Church Endowment Fund or the Forest Hill Cemetery Association.