Richard A. "Diamond" LaFave, 73, of Florence, Wis., passed away Wednesday, October 5, 2011, at Oscar G. Johnson VA Medical Center, Iron Mountain, Michigan. He was born May 26, 1938, in Florence, son of the late Arthur E. and Helen (Kuttenberg) LaFave. Richard grew up in Florence and attended school there. He went on to serve in the United States Navy for four years, serving in Japan and Hawaii. Upon being honorably discharged, Richard lived in Milwaukee, Wis., for a short time before moving back to Florence. Richard worked for M.J. Electrical Contracting Company in Iron Mountain for over thirty years as an equipment operator, retiring in May of 2000. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, trapping, the outdoors, and NASCAR . He is survived by one son, AJ LaFave, Kingsford, Mich.; one daughter, Maxine; one brother, Michael (Susan) LaFave, Lena, Wis.; one sister, Shirley (Wesley) Andersen, West Allis, Wis.; six nephews, Gene (Mary) Meyers, Michael (Marcella) Andersen, Wesley (Sharon) Andersen, Mark (Lori) Andersen, Jeff Andersen, and Adam LaFave; three nieces, Cindy (Brant) Brolin, Pam (Chester) Pintarelli, and Amanda LaFave; numerous great-nephews and great-nieces. Besides his parents, Richard was preceded in death by his sister and brother-in-law, Joan and Norman Meyers. Visitation will be Friday, October 7, 2011, from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at Jacobs-Lundholm Funeral Home, Florence. The Florence County Post No. 3635 Veterans of Foreign Wars will conduct services 11:00 a.m., Friday at the funeral home with the funeral services to immediately follow. Parish Life Director Chris Gall will officiate. Burial will be in St. Mary Cemetery, Commonwealth. Pallbearers will include Robin Merhalski, Jon Merhalski, Don Johnson, Mike Vross, Tom Witynski, and honorary pallbearer Richard Meyers. You may light a candle in remembrance of Richard or leave a condolence to his family online at www.JacobsFuneralHomes.com The Jacobs-Lundholm Funeral Home, Florence, is serving the family.