Richard Wallace Insley

Richard Wallace Insley, 91, local attorney and real estate developer was born September 28, 1918 in Tampa, Fl. He died peacefully at Caretel Inn of Lakeland after a long illness on April 9, 2010. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 11:30 A.M. Monday at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 211 Church St, St. Joseph. Burial will follow at Resurrection Cemetery in St. Joseph. Friends may call from 5:00 until 7:00 P.M. Sunday at Starks & Menchinger Family Funeral Home, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph. Those wishing to sign the Memory Book online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com. He graduated from Tome Preparatory School in Maryland, Trinity College in Harford Conn., University of Virginia Law School and Harvard Business School before settling in the Twin Cities. His law career was dedicated to real estate development which included the phases of Hickory Creek Manor Subdivision, the Niles Ave. Corridor; where many franchise restaurants are located today. He was a partner in the first Pizza Hut, Holiday Inn, and South Town Movie Theatre in St. Joseph. Prior to his business career he was a Lieutenant in the U.S. Navy. He was on LST 460, on an ungainly flat-bottomed landing ship that dropped men and equipment on enemy-held beaches in the Pacific Theatre. He was the senior officer on the landing strip tank to survive a Japanese Kamikaze attack that destroyed his ship and killed one-fifth of the crew. He was awarded the Silver Star for his heroic efforts in rescuing fellow crew members. Dick, as he was known locally was active in the Jaycees and served as President of the Junior Chamber of Commerce. He was a former Treasurer of the St. Joseph River Yacht Club where he was a life member. He was very active in his LST 460 Reunion Group. He was a charter member of Point O' Woods Country Club. Dick was married to his wife for 64 years, the former Eleanor Jane Robinson of St. Joseph, who survives him. Together they raised two children and traveled the world extensively. He is survived by a son, Glen T. (Libby) Insley of De Bordieu, South Carolina, a daughter Anne I. (Michael) McCausland of Benton Harbor, MI, Four grandsons R. Kent (Meegan) Insley, of New York, Marshall E. (Liz) Insley, of New York, Morgan K. (Katie) McCausland, of Cleveland, Ohio, and Clay R. (Megan) McCausland, of Los Angeles, CA. Also a sister Sara Lee (Donal) Dunbar of Troy, Al, and a great-grandaughter, Isabelle C. Insley of New York. He was preceded in death by his parents Rev. Irvin T. and Sadie Bell W. Insley of Herlock, MD, a sister Dorothy Linker of Athens, GA, and brother Thomas Insley of Minnesota, and a brother Frederick Insley of CA., and his faithful dog, Shadow, who went to his office daily. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Animal Aid of Southwestern MI, PO Box 407, St. Joseph or Twin City Area Catholic Schools Endowment Fund through the Berrien Community Foundation at 2900 S. State St., St. Joseph, MI 49085. The Insley Family would like to thank the staff of Caretel Inn and Hospice at Home for their many kindnesses and support during his lengthy stay there. All of their efforts were very much appreciated.