Richard 'Dick' Cannon

Born to the union of Marion Craig and Marjorie Mae (Harden) Cannon of December 9, 1932, Dick came into this world in their home in Fithian, Illinois. He was the eldest of three children, being followed by C. Dean (Mary Beth Baird) Cannon and C. Diane (Ed) Lane, who survive. He passed from this world on December 24, 2006, in his home in Fithian. He was a graduate of North Phoenix, AZ High School. Dick served in the U.S. Army during the Korean Conflict for two years in Germany, where he came to love the land and language. He later returned to Germany, working his way there on a freighter ship, for a three-month bicycle tour of the county. Dick also went back to Arizona and worked on a dude ranch. Educated at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, he earned his masters degree and pursed a doctrine in industrial relations. Always interested in genealogy and local history, he taught Vermilion County history at Danville Area Community College for a number of years. Having traced his and other family histories, he collected data for over three decades that became the information contained in his book, published in 2002, entitled Fithian: Diary of a small town. Two subsequent collections First Edition: Postscripts to Fithian: Diary of a small town followed in 2005 and 2006. Dick was always ready with a bit of history or an amusing anecdote as he loved to tell stories of times gone by or respond to questions regarding the past. Dick retired from a career in the mental health field. He was a self taught pianist who played a variety of instruments. His love of music was much evident to those who knew him as was his love of reading. He was well read in many disciplines and enjoyed a good intellectual discussion or debate of nearly any subject. Dick was a valuable member of the community and trusted and loyal friend to literally hundreds of people. He was a self-less person who contributed generously to a number of civic and historical organizations, societies, and groups as well as areas of higher education. He will be sadly missed by his sister and brother for whom he cared deeply, as well as his nephews Brad (Jeanie Webster) and Brian Cannon, his nieces, Sonna (Todd) Lee, Kim (Rick) Fox, and SynDee (Shane Warren) Lane and their families, who also survive. Dicks life will be celebrated with an open visitation from 4:30-7:30 pm Thursday, December 28, 2006 at Sunsets Oakwood Chapel. A private family burial will be held Friday. Memorial service arrangements are incomplete at this time.