Rich has gracefully finished his “Dance with Cancer”. It was a long dance, 7 years, with many dips, curves, and sidesteps, but he handled it with the suaveness and grace of Fred Astair!
He was born March 20, 1944 in Canton, Illinois to Mildred and Glen Archdale. Along with siblings Keith and Pat, he grew up on the farm, helping with daily chores and at the same time exploring and enjoying all that country life offered.
After high school in 1962, Rich was hired on at Caterpillar in East Peoria, operating any and all machines. After 37 ½ years, he retired in 2000.
Richard’s life was filled with family and friends. His 6 children, Lori, Pam, Debbie, Karen, Desiree and Brian were always uppermost in his mind and heart! Then the grandchildren Niki, Ben, Jeff, Stephani, Steve, Gabriel, Natalie, Kayla, Kaiden, Joshua, Olivia and Kolten were the icing on his cake! He will have a great-granddaughter in July that will be loved by him from afar!
In 1972 Richard met Linda Schertz and they immediately formed a bond of friendship that would never be broken. As happens in life, that friendship hit some detours, until 1984 when everything fell together and they were married on July 14th beginning a life together that will last “Forever and 3 days”.
Rich enjoyed all kinds of activities, bowling, golf, archery, car races were all a part of his life, but his real love was motorcycling. He and his wife Linda owned a Goldwing which they rode up into Canada, to both the East and West coasts and many places in between. A lot of those trips were made with their 2nd family, Chapter Z of the Goldwing Road Riders, more special than the destinations of those trips, were the friendships and memories that were made.
Like any relationship, his with God, was at times a little rocky. He knew there was a higher power out there, but he just had questions! Well in Jan 2010 God answered those questions for him. He sent Rich, his own angel, Jane Weiss, complete with a Halo of Light above her head! Since then he’s had complete faith and very active communication with God.
Now we must say goodbye to you, we know you were tired and God said its time to come home to heal. So Dear husband, Dad, Grandpa, Brother and Friend it is with a mix of joy, sadness and love that will last forever, we let you go, knowing that you are once again healthy and at peace. You will be a part of us always.
Cremation rites will be accorded and a visitation will be held on Saturday, May 14, 2011 from 12:00 (noon) to 2:00 pm, with a memorial service at 2:00 pm at Davison-Fulton Bartonville Chapel. The Rev. Jack Thompson will officiate.
Memorials may be made to St. Jude Children’s Hospital. Please visit Richard’s Life Story at www.davison-fulton-bartonvillechapel.com
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