Obituary for Richard E. Seeley
Richard E. Seeley, 91, of Martinsburg, our most beloved patriarch, passed peacefully into the presence of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Sept. 28, 2020. Born in Marsteller, PA on Oct. 31, 1928 he was the youngest of three children born to his coal miner father William and mother Iva. After graduating from Barnesboro High School in 1946 he too became a coal miner. Realizing that this was not what he wanted to do with his life Richard joined the US. Marine Corp in 1948 and subsequently fought in the Korean War. He had a deep love of God, his country, his family, and his fellow servicemen.
In 1952 Richard married the love of his life, Joan Marie (Patterson) Seeley, who he met at Seaside Heights, NJ while on military leave. Together they made a home in South Philadelphia, and later the Washington, DC area where they raised four children. Eventually the couple relocated to Martinsburg WV in 1976. They were happily married for 60 years, until Joan’s death in 2011.
In his lifetime he was many things to many people: a son, a husband, a father and grandfather, and a friend. He worked as a coal miner, a soldier, a truck driver, a dental technician, and a director at the Dept of Health Education and Welfare, and the FDIC as Director of Graphics and Printing. He was a Leader of St. Ambrose Boy Scout Troop #716, a caretaker of the Nature Conservency’s Ice Mountain National Landmark and Preserve, a faithful member of his church, a Chaplain, and a member of numerous military organizations including the VFW and DAV. He served as the Commandant of the Marine Corp League (Martinsburg Chapter), the Commander of the Martinsburg VFW, the Military Order of the Purple Heart State of WV, and the Veterans Combined Honor Guard. Richard worked ceaselessly in the interests of veterans, giving over 10,000 hours of Voluntary Service to the Martinsburg VA Medical Center. In honor of his lifelong service to his country he received numerous awards including the Purple Heart, the Bronze Star, 2014 Marine of the Year, DAR Outstanding Veteran Volunteer, and the prestigious Rich Homan Memorial Award. His advocacy for veterans improved the lives of veterans throughout our area.
Richard was a fun loving, attentive father and grandfather, slow to anger, and never too busy to listen or lend a hand. He remained an important teacher and example to us all throughout his life and was the living embodiment of the US Marine Corp motto, Semper Fidelis (Always Faithful), which, along with the Word of God, guided him through his entire life. His death leaves a void in us all that only God can fill. We long for that time that we will be reunited with him.
He was preceded in death by his wife Joan Seeley, mother and father, William M. and Iva E. Seeley, his brother William D. Seeley, sister Marjorie (Seeley) Greenway, son David E. Seeley, and granddaughter Jessica E. Seeley.
Richard is survived by his son Richard C. Seeley and wife Candy, daughter Marjorie A. (Seeley) Moulton and husband Michael, son James (Jamie) W. Seeley and Kathryn Seeley, as well as 13 grandchildren; Jacqueline Seeley, Alexis Seeley, Michael Moulton, Teresa Zdziera, Elizabeth Moulton, Cynthia Moulton, Luke Moulton, Dr. Jennifer Seeley Flora, Kristine Cobb, Jeremiah Seeley, Jacob Seeley, Jonathan Seeley, and Joshua Seeley. Also, the spouses and companions of his grandchildren Melinda Moullton, Nick Zderiera, Harvey Clopper, Monte Collins, Rodney Flora, Christopher Cobb, Morgan Seeley, Michelle Seeley, Jade Seeley,
Additionally, he is survived by numerous great grandchildren; Shaun Schell II, Chase and Shelby Moulton, Maddox, Peyton, and Henry Zdziera, Remington Sites, Colton Borror, Isabella and Elizabeth Clopper, Alayah Moulton, Samson Flora, Cullen and Madalynn Ours, Liam and Jacob Cobb, Anne and David Seeley, Rebecca Seeley, and Ariana and Cadence Seeley.
Funeral service will be held at South Berkeley Chapel in Inwood on Thursday, October 8, 2020 at 12 noon, with Father Brian Shoda officiating. Visitation will be held two hours prior to the service from 10:00 to 12:00 noon at the Chapel. Visitors will be required to wear face masks, practice social distancing, and follow directives.
A graveside service and interment will be held at Rosedale Cemetery following the funeral service.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to The Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758516 Topeka, KS 66675.
Online condolences may be offered at www.BrownFuneralHomeWV.com.
In 1952 Richard married the love of his life, Joan Marie (Patterson) Seeley, who he met at Seaside Heights, NJ while on military leave. Together they made a home in South Philadelphia, and later the Washington, DC area where they raised four children. Eventually the couple relocated to Martinsburg WV in 1976. They were happily married for 60 years, until Joan’s death in 2011.
In his lifetime he was many things to many people: a son, a husband, a father and grandfather, and a friend. He worked as a coal miner, a soldier, a truck driver, a dental technician, and a director at the Dept of Health Education and Welfare, and the FDIC as Director of Graphics and Printing. He was a Leader of St. Ambrose Boy Scout Troop #716, a caretaker of the Nature Conservency’s Ice Mountain National Landmark and Preserve, a faithful member of his church, a Chaplain, and a member of numerous military organizations including the VFW and DAV. He served as the Commandant of the Marine Corp League (Martinsburg Chapter), the Commander of the Martinsburg VFW, the Military Order of the Purple Heart State of WV, and the Veterans Combined Honor Guard. Richard worked ceaselessly in the interests of veterans, giving over 10,000 hours of Voluntary Service to the Martinsburg VA Medical Center. In honor of his lifelong service to his country he received numerous awards including the Purple Heart, the Bronze Star, 2014 Marine of the Year, DAR Outstanding Veteran Volunteer, and the prestigious Rich Homan Memorial Award. His advocacy for veterans improved the lives of veterans throughout our area.
Richard was a fun loving, attentive father and grandfather, slow to anger, and never too busy to listen or lend a hand. He remained an important teacher and example to us all throughout his life and was the living embodiment of the US Marine Corp motto, Semper Fidelis (Always Faithful), which, along with the Word of God, guided him through his entire life. His death leaves a void in us all that only God can fill. We long for that time that we will be reunited with him.
He was preceded in death by his wife Joan Seeley, mother and father, William M. and Iva E. Seeley, his brother William D. Seeley, sister Marjorie (Seeley) Greenway, son David E. Seeley, and granddaughter Jessica E. Seeley.
Richard is survived by his son Richard C. Seeley and wife Candy, daughter Marjorie A. (Seeley) Moulton and husband Michael, son James (Jamie) W. Seeley and Kathryn Seeley, as well as 13 grandchildren; Jacqueline Seeley, Alexis Seeley, Michael Moulton, Teresa Zdziera, Elizabeth Moulton, Cynthia Moulton, Luke Moulton, Dr. Jennifer Seeley Flora, Kristine Cobb, Jeremiah Seeley, Jacob Seeley, Jonathan Seeley, and Joshua Seeley. Also, the spouses and companions of his grandchildren Melinda Moullton, Nick Zderiera, Harvey Clopper, Monte Collins, Rodney Flora, Christopher Cobb, Morgan Seeley, Michelle Seeley, Jade Seeley,
Additionally, he is survived by numerous great grandchildren; Shaun Schell II, Chase and Shelby Moulton, Maddox, Peyton, and Henry Zdziera, Remington Sites, Colton Borror, Isabella and Elizabeth Clopper, Alayah Moulton, Samson Flora, Cullen and Madalynn Ours, Liam and Jacob Cobb, Anne and David Seeley, Rebecca Seeley, and Ariana and Cadence Seeley.
Funeral service will be held at South Berkeley Chapel in Inwood on Thursday, October 8, 2020 at 12 noon, with Father Brian Shoda officiating. Visitation will be held two hours prior to the service from 10:00 to 12:00 noon at the Chapel. Visitors will be required to wear face masks, practice social distancing, and follow directives.
A graveside service and interment will be held at Rosedale Cemetery following the funeral service.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to The Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758516 Topeka, KS 66675.
Online condolences may be offered at www.BrownFuneralHomeWV.com.