Richard Keith "Rich" Savala age 77, of Red Oak, Iowa passed away on August 23, 2021 at Montgomery County Memorial Hospital, Red Oak, Iowa after a lengthy bout with cancer, with his wife and children by his side. Rich was born February 5, 1944 in Omaha, Nebraska to Salvador and Norma (Totten) Savala.

He was raised in Omaha, by his parents Grove and Norma Dalton. He attended school in Omaha and worked at various Packing Plants in Omaha, Missouri and Kansas. In 1964 Rich married Phyllis Wallace. On September 22, 1990 he married Bennye Gunn-Gustafson. In 1980 Rich attended Iowa Western Community College. After graduating he became a Substance Abuse Counselor in Carroll, Iowa and in 1990 he continued his career as a Substance Abuse Counselor with the State of Iowa at Clarinda Correctional Facility. In 2006 he retired from CCF. In his spare time Rich could be found sprucing up his 1996 little green Chevy S10 pick up, which he delighted in taking on the road to car shows, where he was sure to take home a trophy, big or small. At one particular car show in Schuyler, NE he even won the door prize of an antique gas pump. At the time my thoughts were now what does one do with an antique gas pump, of course, you sell it to your neighbor who is a photographer to use as a prop. Rich was very active in the AA community and would never hesitate to help anyone in distress who wanted his help.

Preceding him in death were his parents; daughters: Jody Rascon; Debby Booher; grandsons: Steven Wallace; Matthew Gustafson; sister: Bridgette Hudson; brothers: David Savala; and Frank Dalton.

Survivors include his wife, Bennye Savala of Red Oak, IA; children: Vincent Wallace and Bryan (Tammy) Savala of Maryville, MO; Jeffrey (Deidra) Savala of Bedford, IA; Stacie (Steve) Halbur of Danbury, IA; Jeffrey (Teresa) Gustafson of Clarinda, IA; Joel Gustafson of Atlantic, IA; and Joni Gustafson, Shenandoah, IA; grandchildren: Beth DelAngel; Elizabeth Wallace; Julia (Brandon Brownfield) Rascon; Billy Booher; Ashley Savala; Natashea Savala-Handlos; Christopher; Shaun; Cheyenne (Tyler White); Mercedes; and Harper Savala; Brittany Hermson; Samantha (Ryan) Dougherty; Haylee Halbur; Dylan; Drucella; Andrew; Michael; Hannah (William Goering); Chloe; Noah; and Phoebe Gustafson; and Diamond (Tanner) Erickson; great grandchildren: Michael; Eli; Kaylee; Jody; Phoebe; Corey; Julian; Emileigh; Brentlee; Bryar; Jaedon; Evelyn; Michael; and Kit; s isters: Patricia Dalton; Colleen Lighthill; and brothers: Mickey (Joleen) Dalton; and Forrest (Alice) Dalton. Many nieces and nephews; other relatives and friends.

May God bless his memory and give strength to those who mourn.

Celebration of Life Service will be held
Friday, August 27, 2021 at 10:30 a.m.
At the First Christian Church, Red Oak, IA

Visitation with the family will be on Friday, August 27, 2021 from 9:30: a.m. until service time at 10:30 a.m. at the First Christian Church.

Burial will take place at a later date.

Memorials to the family or First Christian Church.

Remembrances and condolences may be shared with the family at www.sldfuneralhome.com

Sellergren-Lindell-DeMarce Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.