Dr. Richard Hitz Brady, 86, pastor and musician, went to be with the Lord on August 9, 2018, in Springfield, Illinois. For nearly sixty years, he was the husband of Janice (Brough) Brady with whom he had five children. The family now includes fifteen grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.
Dr. Brady was born in Indianapolis, Indiana. He was the oldest of three children of Harold Weeks Brady and Fanetta Hitz Brady. After graduating from high school, Richard left the family home and attended Bob Jones University in Greenville, South Carolina. There he received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Piano in 1955, his Master’s degree in Christian Education in 1957, and his Doctorate in Pastoral Theology in 2007. After Richard completed his Master’s degree, he served as Assistant Pastor and Minister of Music from 1957 to 1960 at First Baptist Church of Freeport, Illinois. He was ordained into the ministry in 1960.
Richard married Janice L. Brough on September 5, 1958. After their marriage, they settled in Owatonna, Minnesota, where he taught Bible and was head of the Piano Department at Pillsbury Baptist Bible College for seven years. God then led him to Springfield, Illinois, where Richard started Grace Baptist Church in 1967. He faithfully pastored the church for forty-five years and retired in 2012. In 1973, Richard and Janice started Grace Baptist Academy of which Richard was the Administrator for thirty-nine years. He also served as a board member of Baptist College of Ministry. For over five decades his excellent teaching blessed many.
Dr. Brady is survived by his wife, Janice; one brother, Dr. Stephen W. (Phyllis) Brady and one sister, Sandra K. Brady; his five children, Stephen M. Brady (and his wife Jane and their children Daniel, Elizabeth (Julian) Balatbat, and David), Lisa C. Baggett (and her husband Kerry and their children Michael, Markus, Lauren, Erin, and Zachary), David R. Brady (and his wife Sonja and their children Micah and Julia), Dianne M. Brady-Peters (and her daughter Isabella), Jonathan P. Brady (and his wife Judi and their children Abigail, Brianna, Danielle, and Jackson); and two great-grandchildren (Reagan and Brady Balatbat).
A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, August 18, 2018, at Grace Baptist Church, 2812 S. Walnut, Springfield, Illinois. Dr. John R. Van Gelderen will be speaking. Burial will follow at Roselawn Memorial Park. The family will receive friends on Friday, August 17, from 4:00 pm – 7:00 pm at Bisch Funeral Home West, 2931 Koke Mill Road. Memorial contributions may be made in honor of Richard H. Brady to Grace Baptist Church. Please visit the online “Life Remembered Story” at www.bischfuneralhomewest.com.
