Richard E. Staelens

Mr. Richard E. Staelens, 75, of Blairsville, Ga., formerly of Conway, Mass., died Sunday, March 4, 2007 at his home following an extended illness.

Mr. Staelens was born Nov. 17, 1931 in Conway, the son of the late Ernest Staelens and the late Josephine Murray Staelens. Richard was a resident of Conway for 72 years and a local mason contractor.

He is survived by his wife, Karen of Blairsville; daughters, Diana Thornton of Deerfield, Mass., and Heidi Riordan of Conway; sons, Davis Staelens of Gill, Mass., Aaron Staelens of Richmond, N.H.; 12 grandchildren, six great-grandchildren; sisters, Mary Lou Fortier and her husband Gerald, SO. Deerfield,Mass., and Barbara Rzasa of Chicopee, Mass.; several nieces, nephews, many other relatives and friends also survive.

Richard was educated in Conway and Deerfield Schools. He was a veteran of the Korean Conflict and was Commander of VFW Post 8503 in Shelburne Falls in the 1970s. He was a lifelong member of the Conway Sportsman's Club and was an avid hunter and fisherman.

A memorial service will be held at a later date in Conway. In lieu of flowers if you wish, the family requests that memorials may be made to Regency Hospice in Mr. Staelens' memory.

Mountain View Funeral Home of Blairsville in charge of the arrangements. You may sign the family guest book and send condolences on line at www.mountainviewfuneralhome. com.