He was born December 14, 1964, in Lima, the son of Richard and Florence Krauss.

He married Lela M. Beard on September 1, 2001, and she survives at the residence.

In addition to his parents and wife, he is survived by two sons: Jeremiah (Kelly) Beard of Wapakoneta; Jason Beard of Muncie, Indiana; by two grandsons: Camden and Jaden Beard; by a sister, Jackie Looney of Knoxville, Tennessee; by his mother-in-law, Bonnie Beard of Muncie, Indiana; by three brothers-in-law and one sister-in-law.

Rick was a 1983 graduate of Saint Marys Memorial High School. He had worked at Midwest Elastomers in Wapakoneta for more than 20 years. He loved watching NASCAR, hunting and rooting for the Ohio State Buckeyes. He loved playing with his dog, Little T.

Funeral services for Rick will be held 2:00 P.M. Thursday, March 13, 2008, at the Miller-Long and Folk Funeral Home, 314 West High Street, Saint Marys. Burial rites will be held at a later date.

Friends may call from 10:00 A.M. until the time of services at the funeral home on Thursday, where memorial donations may be directed to the family.