Francis Neil Richner

Francis Neil Richner, age 76, of Palmyra passed away peacefully on Friday, July 3, 2015 at the University of Virginia Medical Center. Born on November 26, 1938 in Chestnut, Illinois and lived in Lincoln, Illinois. He graduated at Mount Pulaski Township High School on May 31, 1956 and then went into the Army service. Neil was a son of the late Walter Henry and Sarah Josephine Richner. Raised on a farm in Illinois, Neil understood hard work. His family produced corn and soy beans and continues to do so to this day. In addition to his parents, Neil was also preceded in death by his brothers Marvin, Darrell, and Ray Richner. Neil is survived by his loving wife of 22 years, Magdalena Richner; his daughters, Madelene Richner and Michelle Puckett and her husband Eddie; grandchildren, Josh Johnson and Amber Mason and her husband Brandon; great-grandchild, Brinley Mason; sisters-in-law; Barbara Jo and Pearl Jo Richner; nieces; Lyn Geisler and her husband Todd, Leslie Berch and her husband Steve, Leigh Ann Whitson and her husband Mark; and his nephew, Mike Richner and wife Jennifer. He is also survived by his great nieces and nephews, Ben, Molly, Katie, Justin, Josh, and Adam; brothers-in-law to his wife, Tito Cortes and his wife Eleanor and Jun Cortes and his wife May; nieces, Jennifer, Honey, Yam-Yam, Jam-Jam, and Che Che Cortes; and nephews, Kevin and JB Cortes. Neil served in the United States Army after the Korean Conflict. He worked for the state of Illinois, retiring after 36 years of service. He taught Behavioral Modification at the Lincoln Developmental Center and later gave 26 years as an officer at the Logan County Correctional Facility in Illinois. He married his wife, Magdalena, on October 16, 1993 and moved to Virginia in 2000 where he and his family remained during his retirement. Neil was an avid jogger. He began jogging in 1979 and thoroughly enjoyed the activity. It was not uncharacteristic of Neil to jog five to six miles in one day. The family will sorely miss Neil’s love for them through his devotional charisma and his kind and gentle natured soul. “Hate is a strong word. You never hate anyone.,” Neil Richner. A Funeral Mass will be conducted 10:00 am, Wednesday, July 8, 2015 at St. Thomas Aquinas Church. A private celebration will be held at a later date at the St. Thomas columbarium. The family will receive friends from 6:00 to 8:00 pm, Tuesday, July 7, 2015 at Teague Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorial donations be made in Neil’s memory to St. George Roman Catholic Church or St. Thomas Aquinas Church.