Richard Allen Ewbank, 88, of Marshall, IL departed this life and joined his Lord and Savior on Feb. 22, 2016.

Richard was born March 23, 1927 in Vigo County, IN, the son of Lloyd F. and Lela S. Edington Ewbank. He attended the West Liberty, a one room grade school. He graduated from Westfield High School in 1944 where he enjoyed playing basketball for the Westfield Eagles. In 1954 he graduated from the University of Illinois with a B.S. Degree in agriculture. While a student at U. of I. he participated in the Air Force R.O.T.C. program.

On his graduation date he was commissioned as 2nd Lt in the Air Force, later rising to the rank of a Captain while in the reserves. He also was a Chaplain while in active duty in the Air Force. For the majority of Richard's active duty, he was stationed on St. Lawrence Island, located in the Bering Sea, just off the coast of Alaska. He was a member of the Alaskan Air Command while stationed there. He recalled one of the many Cold Ward incidents with Russia. Siberia was only 35 miles from the island on which he was stationed. He was there when a U.S. reconnaissance plane was shot down by the Russians. He remembered the debris from that downed plane landing just offshore.

Following his military duty, Richard rejoined the Clark Service Co. for which he had previously worked. In May of 1971, Richard purchased the insurance business from Harry Bamesberger of which he changed the name to Ewbank Insurance Agency. He was owner of this agency until the time of his death.

Richard served as president of the Marshall Rotary Club from 1962 to 1963. His bibliography was published in Who's Who in the Midwest of 1965 and 1966. He taught an adult Sunday School Class at the First United Methodist Church in Marshall for several years. He also did lay speaking at other surrounding Methodist Churches.

Surviving are four sisters, Lela Belle Clapp, Lois Smith, Carol (Evan) Lycan of Marshall, IL and Karen (Darrell) Propst of Terre Haute, IN; two brothers, Wayne (Linda) Ewbank of Cape Girardeau, MO and Darrell (Carolyn) Ewbank of Murphysboro, IL and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; two sisters, Evelyn Melton and Mary Jo Stogsdill; three brothers-in-law, Max Melton, John E. (Jack) Stogsdill and Wayne D. Clapp and a niece, Rhonda Stogsdill Clark. Services in honor of his life will be 2:00 PM Sunday at the First United Methodist Church in Marshall. Burial will be in the Marshall Cemetery with military graveside rites.

Visitation will be 4-7 PM Saturday at Pearce Funeral Home and also one-hour prior services at the church on Sunday. A Masonic service will be conducted by Marshall Lodge #133 AF & AM 7:00 PM Saturday at the funeral home. For those desiring, memorial contributions may be made to the First United Methodist Church Window Fund, Rotary Club Scholarship Program or to the Scholarship Program of Clark Co. Post #90. Online condolences are being accepted at pearcefuneralservices.com.