Richard "Dick" Allen Fateley's Obituary
CHANUTE – Richard A. “Dick” Fateley, 94, passed away on Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2026, with his wife, Mary Ann, by his side at Neosho Memorial Regional Medical Center from the effects of a fall just before Thanksgiving in which he shattered his hip. He was born Oct. 10, 1931, on the Hudson Ranch in Wilson County, KS, to Clarence and Freida Fateley. He was the youngest child, joining brother Clarence “Bud” Fateley and sister Loma Hayden. They both preceded him in death.
Dick was blessed to have two wonderful women in his life.
He married Evelyn Parks in 1950. Together they created a family and a business. They were the proud parents of three daughters – Deb, Athena, and Shelly. After moving to Chanute from Fredonia, where he had worked at the cement plant and rebuilt cars on the side, they created Hillside Auto Parts, Sales and Service in 1960. It was a family enterprise, as they worked long hours that often required loading the kids into the car for business-related errands. Evelyn passed at the young age of 56 on Sunday, May 16, 1988. One of their great loves as a couple was touring on their motorcycles. She had settled down to read a book after they had spent the afternoon enjoying a long ride on their Gold Wings when she died unexpectedly from an aortic aneurysm.
Dick married Mary Ann Reed on July 18, 1989, at Topeka. Their marriage thrived for the next 35 years. They enjoyed camping and worked side by side in all aspects of their lives. They would often be found in their upholstery shop (R&M Seat Repair) or working in their yard. They would frequently be seen with Dick lifting Mary Ann up in the bucket of his tractor and she would be trimming the trees around the property. Those trees are Mary Ann’s pride and joy.
Dick was a successful businessman because of his amazing work ethic and sharp mind for business, but he was also generous with his money, his time, and his mechanical expertise. He was not an “easy touch,” but he was always ready to help when he saw someone in need. His success also resulted in part from the contributions of his daughter Athena and her husband, Bart, and of Corky Van Gotten of Chanute, who started as an employee and evolved to become a partner in the business.
Besides Mary Ann, Dick is survived by his daughters: Deb and Kent Steward, Wichita, their children, Jacob and his wife Morgan, Hatfield, MA, and Joshua and his wife Karen, Wichita; Athena Johnson, Lawrence, her daughter Alicia and her husband Clint, Lawrence; and Shelly Krawczyk, Sand Springs, OK, and her sons Chris and his wife Stephanie, Glenpool, OK, and Tim and his wife Angelina, Port Orchard, WA; and step-daughter Melody and her husband Rick Benard, Newton. He also is survived by numerous great-grandchildren and a great-great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by son-in-law Bart Johnson and step-son Kenneth Reed.
The family invites friends to a graveside service at 1 p.m. Monday, Jan. 12, at Neosho County Memorial Cemetery, with the Rev. Kelly Dennison officiating. They encourage everyone to dress comfortably and warmly. In lieu of flowers, they suggest donations to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Arrangements have been entrusted to Countryside Funeral Home.
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