Rex W. Richards

WESTVILLE - Rex W. Richards, Sr., 84, of Westville, passed away at 11:55pm, Monday, May 21st, 2007, at Provena USMC. He was born on May 31st, 1922, the son of Harrison and Lula (Gorman) Richards, both deceased. On May 3rd, 1941, he married Sarah A. Abston in Paris, IL. They had been married for 66 years and were blessed with a large family. She will miss him dearly. Those who will also miss him include: his three sons, Jack Richards of Westville, Rex Jr. (Cheryl) Richards of Danville, & Donald (Michelle) Richards of Westville; his eight daughters, Carol Hutchens of Westville, Sally (Bill) Bland of Danville, Peggy (Steve) Cole of Tampa, FL, Pamela (Raymond) Hilleary of Danville, Patricia Bostwick of Georgetown, Janet (Corky) Williams of Berea, KY, Vicky (Mike) Cassidy of Ft. Worth, TX, and Lisa (Bill) Unzicker of Danville; his thirty-seven grandchildren; his sixty-seven great grandchildren; several great-great grandchildren; and his sisters, Thelma Pruitt of Tilton and Marie McCain of Portland Arch, IN. His two daughters-Donna Maskel & Mary Lee Richards, his three brothers-James George, & Bill Richards, one sister-Emma Elliott, and two grandchildren-Harold Maskel Jr. & Steven Randell Cole precede him in death. Rex worked and retired from General Motors Tilton Foundry. He later worked for Champaign Signal and Lighting. He was a Veteran of the US Army where he served as an Army Paratrooper. He was member of the Further Light #1130 Lodge of Danville, Scottish Rite Valley of Danville, and the American Legion Post #51. He was also a member of First Church of Christ in Westville. He always enjoyed hunting, fishing, and mushroom hunting. He cherished his family. Rex will be missed for his great sense of humor. A graveside celebration of Rexs life will be held at 10:00am, Friday, May 25th, 2007, at Forest Park Cemetery in Georgetown. Bob Cornell will officiate. A public visitation will be held 6pm to 8pm on Thursday, May 24th, 2007, at Sunsets Houghton-Leasure Funeral Home, 200 E West St, Georgetown, IL, with Masonic Rites being held at 7:30pm.