STRAUS, RICHARD "RICK" STEPHEN, age 70, of Beal City, passed away Thursday, September 27, 2018, at Aleda E. Lutz VA Medical Center in Saginaw.

Funeral Mass for Rick will be held on Monday, October 1, 2018, at 10 a.m. at Saint Joseph The Worker Catholic Church in Beal City, with Father Tom Held officiating. Rite of Committal will immediately follow at St. Joseph Cemetery. A luncheon will be held after the burial at Beal City Knights of Columbus Hall. The family will receive friends on Sunday, September 30, at Clark Family Funeral Chapel from 4 – 7:30 p.m. and on Monday at the church one hour prior to the funeral Mass. A Vigil Service will take place on Sunday at 7:30 p.m. at the funeral chapel. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Joseph Catholic Church. Envelopes will be available at the funeral chapel and the church.

Rick was born August 19, 1948, in Mt. Pleasant, the son of Stephen and Joyce (Voisin) Straus. He proudly served his country in the Vietnam War, earning a Purple Heart. Rick earned his Bachelor's Degree from Baker College. He retired from Michigan Consolidated Gas Co. after 29 years as an IT Manager. After retirement, he worked for 4 years for Cypress Software. Rick was a life member of the VFW, American Legion, DAV, and NRA. He enjoyed welding, carpentry, and building and programming computers.

Rick is survived by his daughter, Kelley Ann Straus of Waterford; sister, Rhoda Straus; 3 brothers, Tom (Debi) Straus, Harry Straus, and Mike (Evelyn) Straus, all of Weidman; aunt, Leona Riley; and numerous cousins. He is also survived by Kelley’s mother and friend, Debra Leonowicz of Roseville. Rick was also grandfather and uncle to multiple fur babies.

Rick was preceded in death by his parents, and a brother, Casey Straus.