Richard A Giddens

Born October 11, 1943 in Newburg, MO to Robert James and Goldye (Davidson) Giddens, he married Jane F. Pippinger on December 11, 1970 in Galesburg. She survives.

Also surviving are one son, Thomas (Debby) Giddens of Marquette Heights; one daughter, Tammy Schultz of Marquette Heights; three granddaughters, Sarah Jane Risner, Megan Sue Risner and Kourtney Marie Giddens; four grandsons, Thomas Allen Giddens, Cohl Evan Jones, Zack Meredith and Eric (Bre) Behm; one great-granddaughter, Zelda Behm; five brothers, Jim (Esther) Giddens of Eldon, MO, Ron (Louise) Giddens of North Pekin, Robert Giddens of St. Clair, MO, Jerry Giddens of Eldon, MO and Danny Nichols of Pekin; three sisters, Joye Adkins of Cuba, MO, Sharon (Willie) McDonald of Marquette Heights and Sue (Larry) Watson of Pekin and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Gary Dean Giddens and Terry Dennis Giddens.

Rich worked for Caterpillar, Inc. from 1966 until retiring in 1997. He also owned and operated A.J. & R. Construction, Ltd. in Pekin from 1980 to 2003.

He was a member of UAW Local 974 and was a past vice-president of the retiree’s chapter. Rich also was a member of the Union Retiree Council of West Central Illinois.

He had been a member of Pekin Moose Family Center 916 since 1985 and was a member of the American Association of Retired Persons.

Rich will be remembered for his love for helping people and for working on cars.

His funeral will be at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, March 5, 2014 at Preston-Hanley Funeral Homes & Crematory in Pekin. The Rev. Judy Doyle will officiate. Visitation will be from 9 to 10:15 a.m. Wednesday at the funeral home. Burial will be in Glendale Memorial Gardens in Pekin.

Memorial contributions may be made to American Heart Association, Memorial and Tributes Lockbox, 3816 Paysphere Circle, Chicago, IL 60674 or to the American Diabetes Association, 2501 Chatham Road, Suite 210, Springfield, IL 62704.

To express condolences online, visit www.preston-hanley.com