HOXIE — Richard Leon Pedigo, 80, of Hoxie, departed this earthly life on Aug. 18, 2026, after a long battle with cancer. Richard was born in Great Bend, Kan., on Oct. 21, 1945, to Alvin and Jessie (Eveleigh) Pedigo. After graduating from Great Bend High School with the Class of 1963, Richard worked alongside his father in the house-moving business. As soon as he turned 18, he proudly joined the United States Marine Corps. Richard proudly served in the Marine Corps, completing two tours in Vietnam before returning home. Vietnam was a place he never forgot and carried memories from that time that he never forgave himself for.

He married Mildred Donner, and they had two children, Richard Pedigo Jr. and Melissa Pedigo. In 1992, Richard married Cheryl (Ginther) Wente and became a bonus parent to Cheryl’s stepchildren, Spring (Wente) Plummer and Shane Wente.

Richard helped with his father’s house-moving business and eventually worked for Cottonwood Cattle Co. and Prickett and Son, hauling cattle. After retiring from hauling cattle, he went to work for Taylor Implement Co., Inc., as a combine mechanic.

Richard is survived by his wife, Cheryl, of Hoxie; his son, Rick, and fiancée, Susan, of Buffalo, Texas; and his daughter, Melissa, and husband, Todd, of Great Bend, Kan.; grandchildren, Nathaniel and Dylan Pedigo, McKenna Hanks, and Bradley (Emily) Hanks; his “bonus” family, Spring (Corey) Plummer of Council Grove and their children, Jailen, Bentley, Staley, Landon, and Ace; and Shane (Audra) Wente of Hoxie and their children, Shayanne, Macy, and Gunner; sisters, Connie Daniels and Carol (Jim) Wilson; brother-in-law, Kerry (Marcia) Ginther; niece, Rhiannon McNulty; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, in-laws, and great friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Alvin and Jessie Pedigo; infant brother, Kenny; in-laws, Virgil and Evelyn Ginther; brothers-in-law, Jim Daniels and Ken Ginther; and grandson, Colby Pedigo.

Many who knew Richard knew that he believed in God and Country. He was a man of few words, but when he spoke, people listened. He was a proud Marine, a hardworking man, and a person whose life and memories will remain with those who knew and loved him.

Visitation will be held on Sunday, Aug. 23, 2026, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Mickey-Leopold Funeral Home with family greeting friends from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. Funeral Services will be held on Monday, Aug. 24, 2026, at 10:30 a.m. at Christ Community Church in Hoxie. Luncheon immediately follows services. Burial at Lucerne Cemetery will follow the luncheon.

Memorials are suggested to the Sheridan County Benefit Walk.

Funeral arrangements provided by

Mickey-Leopold Funeral Home

P.O. Box 987

Hoxie, KS 67740

Great Bend (Kan.) Tribune, Aug. 22, 2026