He was born May 25, 1932 in Winchester, Indiana the son of Waldo J and Wilhelmina Catherine Schoenholtz Shierling. On August 28, 1954 he married Mae Clark in Batesville, Indiana. She survives.

He was a 1950 graduate of Saratoga High School, Indiana, and received his BS in Economics and Industrial Psychology from Purdue in 1954. At Purdue he was a member of Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity where he was president his senior year. He was also president of his Junior Class and was a member of the Gimlet Club. He was a member of Student Council where he was president his senior year. He worked for Proctor and Gamble before joining the US Army in 1955 and served until 1957.

Dick farmed with his father and aunt for seven years in Indiana. On July 1, 1964 he bought the McDonald's Franchise in Quincy. In February of 1977 he opened a McDonald's in Keokuk, and in December of 1979 he opened a McDonald's in Hannibal. He opened his second store in Quincy in November of 1985 and retired in 1997.

Dick received the Ronald McDonald Award in 1975 for Excellence in Operations. In 1975 he was nominated for Illinois Small Businessman of the Year and was one of 3 finalists. He was featured in Life Magazine in their Bicentennial Issue with the fire truck he used to give children rides. He helped begin the Ronald McDonald House Charity in Quincy and made it possible for three of his store supervisors to own their own McDonald's.

Dick was a member of the Protestant faith, the Mart Heinen Club, the Elks, the Joint Industrial Council (predecessor to GREDF), NFIB, a former board member of Chaddock School and Quincy Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors, Transitions, former secretary of Rotary East, former president and treasurer of Regional McDonald's Advertising Coop, and one of the founders of McDonald's Operator Insurance Corporation.

Dick and his wife were avid local high school and college sports supporters. He was a former member of the QHS Thanksgiving Basketball Tournament Committee, a founding member of QUAC and supported numerous sports teams and tournaments and provided many scholarships to summer camps. He was instrumental in beginning the McDonald's Herald -Whig Classic All Star Games. Dick was elected to the Quincy University Sports Hall of Fame in 2006 and the QHS Sports Hall of Fame in 2007. McDonald's, for several years, co-sponsored the City of Quincy 4th of July Fireworks display.

He was a believer in sports and education and felt it was important to give kids something to do. He loved to travel worldwide seeing new places and meeting new people. He was an avid bridge player. One of his greatest joys was having his family around and seeing their individual achievements.

Survivors also include two daughters, Cheryl Anne Dreasler and husband Brady, Cynthia Jayne Bunch and husband Chris, a son, Gregory Richard Shierling and wife Deborah; ten grandchildren, Jonathan R., Jennifer A. and Kristin E. Dreasler, Scott C., Bradley C., Cara B., Bryan C., and Christian S. Bunch, Kay-Leigh M. and Luke G. Shierling, and a great-grandchild, Corby S. Cunningham, all of Quincy; a sister, Jean Lugo and husband Charles of Quincy; a sister-in-law, Myra Shierling of Venice, FL, and nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother John Shierling.

Services: 11:00 am Wednesday, July 23, 2008, at Hansen-Spear Funeral Home with Rev. Bert E. Clark officiating. Burial will be in Greenmount Cemetery.

Visitation: 3pm - 7pm Tuesday, July 22 at Hansen-Spear.

Memorials: McDonald's Herald -Whig Classic Scholarship at Quincy University, Blessing Cancer Center, or the charity of the donor's choice

Hansen-Spear Funeral Directors are in charge of arrangements.