Richard Maurice Harding, 87, peacefully went home to be with his heavenly father on March 13, 2026.

Born on the family farm in Cheney on Nov. 27, 1938, to Maurice and Goldie Harding, he was the only son with four sisters. Richard had an abundant life that included working the family farm, firefighting, construction, meat packing, gardening, hunting, water-skiing, and flying small aircraft. After 27 years of service, he retired from Cheney Door Company in 2005.

He was a wise, hardworking man, but his greatest joy was found in being a husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather.

Richard married Marie Pauline Aldershof on Aug. 13, 1973, and they built their family home across from his home place by Cheney Lake, where they raised three children and lived for more 30 years.

Richard was proceeded in death by his parents; sisters, Betty Robinson, Joan Kannarr, and Maxine Harding; and brothers-in-law, George Robinson and Don Hansen. He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Marie Harding of Wichita; sister, B. Darlene Hansen of Annapolis, Md.; son, Michael (Julia) Harding of Douglass; daughters, Lisa (Jeremy) Gassmann of Maize and Marcie (Jay) McVeigh of Aurora, Colo.; nine grandchildren; two great-grandsons; and many nieces and nephews.

Family visitation will be on Wednesday, March 18 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Wulf-Ast Funeral Home in Garden Plain. Memorial will be at 11:30 a.m. Thursday, March 19 at Wulf-Ast Funeral Home in Garden Plain, with private interment to be held at a later time.

Memorial contributions can be made to Phoenix Hospice, Wichita.