Richard Petefish

Richard Lee Petefish Sr., 85, of Champaign, IL passed away at 5:58am on Monday, February 13, 2023. He was born on August 17, 1937, in Jacksonville, IL, the son of Jesse Liter Petefish and Helen Jean Caldwell Petefish. On August 26, 1985, Richard married Sharon Rogers Coffman, she survives.

Richard is also survived by his four children - daughter Sara (James) Holton, of Clermont, Florida; son, Richard Lee Petefish, Jr. (Holly) of Chatham, Illinois; daughter, Susie Hager, of Springfield, Illinois; stepdaughter Jennifer (Nick) Wherley, of Tolono, Illinois; 6 grandchildren, 5 great-grandchildren, two sisters, and many wonderful nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his parents, one brother (Ward Petefish) and one sister (Sara Petefish Allen).

Richard was a larger-than-life, kind, generous, and caring man who loved spending time with his cherished family, and was deeply rooted in his Christian faith. He was a life-long caretaker of the land as he farmed most his life in the Ashland-Alexander area. He also raised many animals over the years, and persistently taught his children the responsibilities and life of the farm. Many remember him for his advice and helping hand at many 4-H events and local county fairs. Perhaps he is most remembered for his sense of humor and wit as he was a stranger to none and storyteller to all. As a retired farmer, he also loved working in the tools department at Sears for many years, and helping others fix their equipment in the Champaign, Illinois area.

A visitation time with the family will be held from 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday, March 11, 2023 at Berea Christian Church, 2053 State Highway 123, Ashland, IL 62612. Following the visitation, there will be a private family service at 1pm. The family has entrusted Sunset Funeral Home and Cremation Center, Champaign, IL to his cremation.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to: Champaign County Extension Education Foundation, Richard Petefish Memorial, 801 North Country Fair Drive, Suite D; Champaign, IL 61821.