Richard Accoe Obituary

Richard Accoe, 80, of Dowagiac passed away Wednesday, March 18, 2026, at Corewell Health Lakeland Hospital, St. Joseph.

A Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, March 24, at Holy Maternity of Mary Catholic Church, 210 N. Front St., Dowagiac, MI 49047. Friends may visit with the family from 5-7 p.m. with the rosary recited at 6:45 p.m. Monday, March 23, at Clark Chapel and Cremation Service, 405 Center St., Dowagiac.

Memorials may be made to the Cassopolis FFA, Holy Maternity of Mary Catholic Church or the Accoe Family Endowment at SMC. Those wishing to share a memory of Richard online may do so at www.clarkch.com.

Richard was born on May 29, 1945, in South Bend, Ind., to Richard M. and Pauline M. (Monhaut) Accoe. He graduated from Dowagiac High School in 1963 and went on to earn his degree from Southwestern Michigan College.

On Nov. 21, 1964, he married Lynn M. Parrish in Dowagiac. Richard was a lifelong farmer who was deeply dedicated to his work. In addition to farming, he worked as a real estate agent with Springsteen Real Estate, served as a Cass County commissioner, and was employed by Rudy (Sundstrand) Manufacturing Company.

Richard was a devoted member of the Knights of Columbus, attaining both Third and Fourth Degrees with the Dowagiac Council, and was honored as Knight of the Year in 1992 as well as earning family of the year. He was also active in Jail Ministries, served as a past 4-H leader, and was a former member of the Cass County Posse.

Richard is survived by his wife, Lynn Accoe; four daughters: Shelli (Randy) Armstrong, Sherri (Wesley F.) Eichler, Anne (Rodric Williams) Dean and Judi (Andrew) Kidman; 13 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; siblings: Kathy Orr, Mike (Sue) Accoe and Dave (Patti) Accoe; several nieces and nephews; and the Wahoo and Caruso coffee buds.

Richard was preceded in death by his parents.