Ira Walter Stricklin, “Sad Sack”, was born July 21, 1934 in Monterey, Missouri to John and Mary Elizabeth Litton Stricklin and passed away Sunday, September 9, 2012 in Wellston, Oklahoma at the age of 78.

He was a hard working man retiring from General Motors after 30 years at the age of 55 when he started driving a truck for BridgeCo Construction where he drove for 20 years. He loved driving his truck and couldn’t wait to hear where he would be delivering equipment or picking it up next.

Ira was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Eunice Twomey.

He is survived by his wife, Loretta, of the home; children, Sherry Stricklin of Missouri, Carla Stricklin and husband Jeff Austin of Arkansas; Carol and husband Rusty Gilpin; Johnny Beasler of Wellston; grandchildren, Tiffany, Gabriel, Michaela, Chaz, Monica; great-grandchildren, Macen, Madden, Aiden and Serenity, all of Tecumseh; siblings, Ruth and husband Pete Brewen of Valles Mines, Missouri; Reverend Roy and wife Margy Stricklin of Colorado Springs, Colorado; Ralph and wife Barbara Stricklin of Bonne Terre, Missouri; and Wanda McBride of Bonne Terre, Missouri; and many nieces, nephews, and other relatives who will all miss him dearly.

The family will welcome friends for a reception/visitation Tuesday evening between 6:00 - 8:00 p.m.

A funeral will be held at 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, September 12, 2012 at the Lehman Funeral Home Chapel with interment following in the Wellston Cemetery.