Richard Rutan

Richard Dick E. Rutan, 71, of Danville, passed away at 4:46 p.m. Tuesday, March 17, 2009 at Carle Foundation Hospital in Urbana. Richard was born on May 23, 1937, in Jamaica, Illinois, the son of Emmet Shorty E. and Martha E. (Farnsworth) Rutan. He married Margaret R. (Sands) Rutan on August 24, 1956 in Tilton. She survives. He is also survived by one son- Terry (Sue) Rutan of Niota, Tennessee; one brother- Carleton (Lucy) Rutan of Danville; one sister-in-law- Shirley (Bob) Harmon of Tilton; three grandchildren- Cory and Chandler of Terre Haute, Indiana and Greg of Danville; three great-grandchildren- Zoe, Lei Leigh and Desmond all of Danville; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and one daughter- Tammy Rutan. Richard graduated from Fairmount High School. He attended Technical College in Lincoln, Nebraska for material management and accounting. Richard worked at Heatcraft for 39 years as a machinist, until he retired in 2000. After retiring he worked part-time at Automation Industries and the Vermilion County Jail. Richard was a member of the Church of Christ in Danville and the VFW. He enjoyed rebuilding cars, doing electrical work, flying ultra light planes, flying model planes and anything mechanical. He also enjoyed doing yard work and was a jack of all trades. Richard most of all loved to spend time with his grandchildren. A Celebration of the Life of Richard Dick E. Rutan will be at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, March 19, 2009 at Sunset Funeral Home and Cremation Center with Charles Strange officiating. Visitation will be from 9:00-11:00 a.m. Thursday at the funeral home. Burial will be at Springhill Cemetery following the service. E-mail condolences may be sent to the family at: www.sunsetfuneralhome.com.