Richard William Smekal, age 86, a longtime resident of Riverton, NJ, went home to his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on December 10, 2024, surrounded by his loving family.

Rich was born in Detroit Michigan in 1938 and grew up in Burlington, NJ. He was a graduate of Burlington City High School and attended Temple University. He proudly served in the U.S. Army and National Guard.

Richard spent his career with Public Service Electric & Gas, retiring as a Marketing Representative after 35 years of service to the company. He was known for his professional demeanor, attire and perfectly groomed hair, as well as being known for his amazing talents and abilities in all the trades.

Rich had a great love for many things including all children, especially his own, reading, singing & playing guitar, whistling, studying The Bible and Witnessing about Jesus. He had great problem-solving skills and was always willing to use those skills to help family and friends. Rich was well known for his stories and for telling his "dad" jokes, who can forget his favorite "No Eye Deer?" joke! Rich also loved being outdoors, fishing & hunting, and tending to his annual vegetable garden. Most of all, he loved spending time with his family.

Richard was predeceased by; his mother, Lucy Cuss, and her husband George Cuss; his sisters, Emma Emsley and Lucy Hall; his brothers, Frank Smekal and Carl Smekal; and by his beloved granddaughter, Victoria Ruth Ercol.

Rich is survived by his loving wife, Cheryl Johnson Smekal, and their children, Richard Smekal, Jr. and his wife Rosemary, Jackie DaSilva, Terri Conner and her husband Fred, Connie Ercol and her husband Guy, George Barckley and his wife Mary Ann, and Eric Vaughn Smekal and his wife Stephanie. Also surviving are his grandchildren, Tom Bonanno, Danny Bonanno, Bethany Parker and her husband Anthony, Phillip Richard Conner, Abbey Peeples and her husband Justin, Cherylin Smith and her husband Joel, Gabriel Ercol and his wife Jennifer, Andrew Barckley and his wife Adriann, Daniel Barckley and his wife Becky Motykiewicz, Taran Barckley and her husband Scott Conwell, Caleb Barckley, Autumn Smekal, Zachary Smekal and Paige Smekal, and by his great-grandchildren, Thomas & Jocee Bonanno, Maddison, Anthony Jr. & Paisley Parker, Conner, Briggs & Cash William  Peeples, and Oliver, Henrietta & Hugo Smith. Rich is also survived by his sister, Betty Clark, brother, Robert Smekal and his wife Lisa, along with his siblings' families.

Interment with Military Honors at Lakeview Memorial Park, Cinnaminson, NJ was held privately. A memorial service and celebration of Rich's life will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, January 25, 2025 at the Heritage Baptist Church, 530 Union Mill Road, Mt. Laurel, NJ 08054, where friends may visit with the family from 10:00 AM until the start of the service at 11:00 AM.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be directed to either the Victoria Ercol Memorial Foundation, PO Box 2102, Medford Lakes, NJ 08055, or to Heritage Baptist Church, 530 Union Mill Road, Mt. Laurel, NJ 08054.

Condolences and remembrances may be shared by visiting www.weberfuneralhomeinc.com