Richard Dale "Dick" Kelso Sr.

He was born January 25, 1933 in Peoria to Harry and Katie (Thewlis) Kelso. He married Roberta Hoak on June 25, 1955 in Creve Coeur, IL. She survives along with three children: Richard “Rick” Kelso, Jr of Phoenix, AZ, Tyleen (Bob) Rentfro of Litchfield Park, AZ, Scott (Susan) Kelso of Morton, IL, five grandchildren: Ashley Rentfro of North Hollywood, CA, Jennifer Kelso of Morton, IL, Austin Rentfro of Litchfield, Park, AZ, Kelsi Rentfro of Tucson, AZ, and Elizabeth (Zach) Peterson of Newhall, CA, and one great-granddaughter, Amara Peterson due in June 2018 along with many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, eight sisters, and three brothers.

Richard worked at Peoria Sanitation, Johnson Hydraulics, Amour Packing Company, and Caterpillar Tractor Company. He retired January 1998 from Caterpillar Mossville Plant after 29 years of service. He was a member of UAW Local 974.

He and Roberta wintered in Donna, TX, moving there permanently in 2006. He loved to play bocce ball and shuffle board. He was associated with Amigos Los De Nino’s where he spent Christmas day helping with a party for the 3,000 children in Progresso, Mexico. He was very active in their retirement park and was known for his jokes and everyone in the park was very fond of him. He was always interested in his grandchildren’s activities and attended as many of them as he could.

He was a member of Cornerstone Baptist Church in Groveland, IL and was also a former member of the First Baptist Church in Creve Coeur where he served in AWANA for many years.

Visitation will be Wednesday, January 17, 2018 from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Remmert Funeral Home in East Peoria. Funeral services will be Thursday, Jan. 18, 2018 at 10 a.m. at the funeral home.

Burial will be in Parkview Cemetery in Peoria.

Memorials may be made to the Amara Hospice Home at 505 W. Owassa Rd, Edinburg, TX, 78542 or The American Cancer Society.

You may view Dick’s obituary online at www.remmertfuneralhome.com