Richard Rooney

R ichard Edward Rooney 68 years of age was a resident of Fairview, Kansas. He passed on Monday, December 3, 2012, of natural causes.

Born on January 26, 1944 in Ellensburg, Washington to Eddie & Louise (Puvogel) Rooney.  Richard was the eldest son of their six children.  He is survived by his sisters Patricia Anne Carreño, Diane Kay Garber, Sharon Marino & Karen Cuevas and preceded by his youngest brother, Michael Lee Rooney.  Richard graduated from Fairview High School in 1962 and continued on to mechanical trade school.

Richard was a business owner who ran a successful locksmith shop in San Mateo, CA for nearly twenty-five years.  His interests included: classic cars, literature, history, politics, nature and spending time with his family and friends.   Richard will be remembered for his quick wit, joyful laugh and insatiable sense of humor.

Richard was married for forty-seven years to Anna Dela Benavides of Santa Ana, El Salvador.  He is survived by his wife and their three children: Lisa (Rooney) Nassiri and spouse Bobby of San Jose, CA; Michael Theodore Rooney of San Jose, CA; and Maria Lee (Rooney) Giannini and spouse Dirk of Salinas, CA.   Richard is also survived by his six grandchildren; Jason & Kyle Rooney, Alec & Maya Giannini, and Bella & Laila Nassiri.

Memorial services were held Saturday, December 8, 2012 at 11:00 a.m. at the Popkess Mortuary in Sabetha.  The family greeted friends one hour prior to the service.  Inurment took place in the Isely Cemetery.