Ulrich "Rick" Koelbel

Ulrich “Rick” Koelbel, 91, of Peoria, passed away on Wednesday, June 1, 2022, at Lutheran Hillside Village Care Center in Peoria. He was born on April 25, 1931, in Wuppertal Elberfeld, Germany, a son of Helmut and Lina (von der Twer) Koelbel. Rick married Nancy A. Phillips on August 25, 1956, in Peoria. She survives.

Also surviving are three children, Charles (Gina Goff) Koelbel, Heidi (Joe) White, and Scott (Beth) Koelbel; five grandchildren; one brother, Helmut Koelbel; and one sister, Marlies Josten; of Germany, and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; two sisters; and two grandsons.

In May of 1950, Rick was given the opportunity to come to the United States as a foreign exchange student. He went to Decatur, where he lived with the family of the Rev. Howard Detweiler. He attended Decatur High School for the year, took the high school GED test and received a diploma. In June of 1951, he returned to Germany; however, his time in the U.S. had made a great impression on him. With the help of the Detweiler family, Rick applied for immigration to the United States. He returned to stay with the Detweiler family, who had moved to Peoria. Rick began working for Hotchkiss Steel in Bradford and then joined the United States Army. After completing basic training, he was stationed in Sendai, Japan, where he became a United States citizen. Rick was honorably discharged in January 1956, and entered Bradley University that same year. He graduated from Bradley with a degree in Accounting. Rick was employed by Memorial Consultants as an accountant, later attaining the position of Executive Vice President and Comptroller, until retiring in 1997.

Rick was a past member of the Illinois Cemetery & Funeral Home Association, and periodically served as their president, earning the title of Honorary Member. He also was a member of the Orpheus Club in Peoria for 55 years. Rick was a past member of the Glen Oak Christian Church and most currently, a member of First Federated Church, where he sang in the choir. Rick enjoyed spending time relaxing on his boat on Lake Peoria, as well as attending OLLI classes at Bradley University.

Rick’s family would like to thank his care providers: Nurses Judy and Carolyn and the administrative staff and caregivers on Clover Court at the Lutheran Hillside Village Care Center, as well as Nurse Ruby and the Unity Point Hospice team for their kindness and support.

Rick’s funeral service will be held at 11:00 am Tuesday, June 7, 2022, at First Federated Church in Peoria. The Rev. Stephen Barch and Chaplain Patrick Monroe will officiate.

His visitation will be from 6:00 to 8:00 pm on Monday, June 6, 2022, at the Davison-Fulton-Woolsey-Wilton Funeral Home in Peoria. Prior to the funeral service a one-hour visitation will be held at the church from 10:00 to 11:00 am.

Burial will be in Swan Lake Memory Gardens, Peoria.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association at https://www.alz.org/?form=alz_donate or to the Lutheran Hillside Village Foundation Benevolent Fund, Peoria.

Online condolences for Rick’s family may be left at www.woolsey-wilton.com.