Dewey Riehn

ASHLAND, Mo. -- Dewey Monroe Riehn, 81, of Ashland passed away Monday, Nov. 25, 2019, at University Hospital.

Dewey was born Jan. 16, 1938, in Jackson, the son of Ernest and Effie Barks Riehn. On Aug. 24, 1958, he was united in marriage to Virginia Sides, who survives.

He served his country proudly for 20 years, two years as a Marine and 18 in the Army, most of those years as a counter-intelligence officer. He served in the Philippines and Vietnam, and he lived in Okinawa and Munich, Germany.

Upon retirement, Dewey had a 24-year career with the Missouri Department of Social Services as an investigator. He devoted 16 years following that as a lobbyist for veterans' issues at both the state and national level. He was an original member of the Boone County Children's Services Board beginning in 2013.

Dewey was ordained as a deacon in 1965 and served in many churches, with the last 40 years as a deacon at Little Bonne Femme Baptist Church.

He was a member of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 280, American Legion Post No. 158 in Jackson and the Vietnam Veterans of America. He enjoyed the outdoors, hunting when he was younger and traveling throughout his life. He enjoyed telling a good story. Dewey also had a passion for working with children, such as coaching team sports such as youth football and softball; most recently supporting and encouraging college students providing a home-like atmosphere for those needing a family atmosphere. The gift he treasured most was his time spent with family.

Dewey is survived by his wife, Virginia Riehn; children, Dewey DuWain Riehn, Melissa Gaye, Lori Riehn and Ernie (Susan) Riehn; son-in-law, Richard Carr; seven grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; and a host of cousins, nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Doyle Riehn; and daughter, Elizabeth Renee Carr.

Visitation will be from 4 to 6 p.m. Sunday at Memorial Funeral Home in West Columbia, Missouri. An additional visitation will take place from 10 to 11 a.m. Monday at Little Bonne Femme Baptist Church.

Funeral, will follow at 11 a.m. at the church. Burial, with full military honors, will follow in the church cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial may be made to VFW Service Officers Fund or Little Bonne Femme Church Facilities Endowment Fund.

Online condolences may be shared at www.memorialfuneralhomeandcemetery.com.