Richard C. Lyons

Richard Corliss (Dick, RC) Lyons, 88, of Washington, Iowa—formerly of St. Charles, Iowa—died on Christmas day, December 25, 2024 surrounded by family following a battle with cancer and complications of dementia. A memorial service will be held at 11:30 a.m. Saturday, January 11, 2025, at the Jones & Eden Funeral Home. The family will be present to receive friends from 10:00 to 11:30 a.m. prior to the service. In lieu of flowers, memorials have been established for Hospice Compassus. The kindness and care shown to Dick and Bev the last few weeks was truly amazing. Online condolences may be sent for Dick’s family at www.jonesfh.com. Memorial services will be live streamed on the Jones & Eden Facebook Page. Dick Lyons was born on March 15, 1936 in Van Horne, Iowa to Glenn (Bud) and Bernadene Gallaher Lyons. He attended school in Van Horne, graduating from high school in 1954. He later attended the University of Northern Iowa and the American Institute of Business (AIB). He married Dorla Havran in 1958. They had three children together and later divorced. He married Beverly Bruty on April 9, 1994 in Des Moines, Iowa. Dick grew up working for his father at the family filling station in Van Horne. He worked for Benton County Rural Electric Co-op and Terra Eastern Chemical in Vinton, Iowa, and was later employed for 31 years by Standard Bearings in Des Moines, Iowa. After his retirement, he worked as Operation Assistant for Madison County Winery in St. Charles. Dick and Bev’s acreage near St. Charles, Iowa—known by family and friends as “Lake Lyons”—was a beloved place where everyone was welcome. Dick and Bev loved visits from family and friends to hang out, go fishing and hunting, take boat rides on the lake, walk through the timber, or just sit on the deck with food and drinks to talk, watch birds at the feeders and just enjoy the day. July 4th and Christmas were very special times at Lake Lyons. Dick, also known as “RC,” was well-known for his sense of humor and positive outlook on life, which helped him survive the loss of his right hand and, later, a bout with colon cancer. He was an outdoorsman and sports fan who loved weekend fishing and fish fries, deer hunting camps, playing cards with family, attending Iowa Hawkeye football games with friends in the “Hawkeye Group,” fishing trips to Canada, and conversing with anyone who cared to chat with him. He was actively involved in the Des Moines Izaak Walton League for many years, serving as President in 1996/97. Survivors include: wife Beverly Bruty Lyons of Washington, Iowa; son Patrick Lyons and wife Ann of Cedar Falls; daughter Debra Stewart and husband David of West Des Moines; son Michael Lyons and wife Erina of Huxley, Iowa; three grandchildren—Wesley Lyons (Adam), Bailey Lawler (Kenny), and Miya Lyons; two great grandchildren—Desmond Lawler and Ruby Lawler; daughter-in-law Sandy (Ryan) Reeg of Dubuque; brother Don Lyons of Traer, Iowa; sister Mary Oakley (Pete) of Camdenton, Missouri; and many Bruty family members. Dick was preceded in death by his parents and his sister-in-law Janice Lyons. Dick’s body has been donated to The University of Iowa as part of the Deeded Body Program. His remains will eventually be laid to rest at Elm Grove Cemetery in Washington.

Richard C. Lyons

March 15, 1936 - December 25, 2024