Richard died on November 14, 2003.

Tribune Star, November 19, 2003

Richard A. Lafata, 33, of Paris, Ill., and formerly of Terre Haute died Friday, Nov. 14, 2003, in his home.

He was born Jan. 20, 1970, in Detroit to Tony Lafata and Joyce Patalon Lafata. He married Candy Fleschner of Terre Haute Oct. 14, 1999.

Survivors include his wife; his father, Tony Lafata and wife, Dawn, of Terre Haute; mother Joyce Patalon Lafata Closurdo and husband, Frank, of Nathan Hale Center Line, Mich.; one son, Matthew G. Lafata of San Antonio; one daughter, Andrea Lafata of Terre Haute; two brothers, Kenneth Lafata and wife, Deborah, of Plainfield and Brian Lafata of Terre Haute; one sister, Stephanie Lafata of Terre Haute; his grandfather, Alexander Patalon of Venice, Fla.; his grandmother, Calista Lafata of Terre Haute; and several aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his grandmother, Joan Patalon; and grandfather, Tony Lafata.

He attended St. Patrick's Catholic Church. He had been employed for 12 years as a store manager for McDonald's in Paris.

Services are 11 a.m. Monday in Callahan & Hughes Funeral Home at 605 S. 25th St., with the Rev. William Peil officiating.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Juvenile Diabetes research Foundation, 120 Wall St., New York, NY 1005-4001.