Richard Sage

Dover — Funeral services for Richard “Dean” Sage, 67, Perry, will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at Dover Federated Church. Interment with military honors by the Kansas National Guard will be in Dover Cemetery.Mr. Sage died Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2009, at St. Francis Health Center in Topeka.He was born Dec. 12, 1941, in rural Shawnee County, the son of Richard J. and Martha Ruth Crow Sage. He grew up in the Dover community and graduated from Dover High School in 1960.Mr. Sage served in the Kansas Army National Guard. He retired with the rank of sergeant first class after 24 years. During the Vietnam war, he served in the 169th SPBN 69th Infantry Brigade from April until November 1969.Mr. Sage worked for Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe and Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway for 30 years. He retired in 2001.He served two terms as a member of the Perry City Council. He was a baseball and softball umpire, was inducted into the Umpire Hall of Fame and had been named umpire of the year. He was a member of the Amateur Softball Association of America for 24 years, serving as district commissioner for Kansas Region No. 1. He was a member of the American Amateur Baseball Congress and served on the state board of directors. He had trained many umpires in the area.He also was a member of the American Paint Horse Association and had been president of the Kansas Paint Horse Youth Association.Mr. Sage was a member of American Legion Post No. 142 in Perry.He married Martha F. Talley Mast on Sept. 10, 1976, in rural Shawnee County. She survives, of the home.Other survivors include a son, Paul, Lawrence; a daughter, Deana Sage, Perry; a stepson, L. Michael Mast, Missouri; a brother, Larry, Dover; a sister, Ada Kay Mitchell, Harveyville; and two stepgrandchildren.Friends may call from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday at American Legion Post No. 142 in Perry.The family suggests memorials to help offset funeral expenses, sent in care of Piper Funeral Home, 714 Maple St., St. Marys, KS 66536.Online condolences may be sent at piperfuneralhome.com.