Elaine Marcella Richards

Elaine Marcella (Robinson) Richards, 93, of Hanna City passed away in her sleep on Tuesday, November 24th at her residence. Born February 9, 1927 to Homer and Lulu Robinson of Elkville, Illinois, she was the seventh of ten children. She married Clifford Richards of Hanna City on December 26, 1945, who preceded her in death on June 30, 1992.

She is survived by her children; Steven Richards of West Lafayette, Indiana; Mrs. Raymond (Penny) Atkinson of Washington, Illinois; Mrs. Jack (Karen) Stanton of Peoria, Illinois and Danny Richards of Hanna City, Illinois; 11 grandchildren; 29 great-grandchildren; and 11 great-great grandchildren; experiencing 5 generations, 5 different ways. She was preceded in death by one great-great granddaughter.

Five brothers: Lawerence (Freely) of Groveland, Howard of Hanna City, Edmund of Heber Falls, Arkansas, Denver of Peoria and Homer of Tuscola, Illinois and two sisters, Mrs. Leon (Imogene) King and Mrs. Frank (Naomi Ruth) Stear both of Hanna City, preceded her in death. She is survived by one sister, Mrs. Eddie (Shirley) Koerher of Lakeland, Florida and John Robinson of Clarksville, Tennessee.

She enjoyed gardening and canning produce using long held family recipes, cooking family meals, quilting and in her later years reading extensively or solving puzzles. Playing piano, Bible study and teaching Sunday School classes at church were among her most cherished activities. Independent and determined to live every day to its fullest, enabled her to conduct most all her own affairs and live in her own home until the day of her death. “I keep doing, so I can keep doing” was the often quoted rationale for maintaining as active a lifestyle as possible in the face of the effects of almost 94 years of life.

Qualities which will be sorely missed by her family and those fortunate enough to have known her were a steadfast faith in a loving God, the constant belief in the best of those around her, as well as a quiet willingness to lend a helping hand to those less fortunate than herself.

Graveside Services will be in the Smithville Cemetery located in Smithville, Illinois, on Wednesday, December 9, 2020 at 12pm. Rev. Fred Calfee of Church of God Holiness located in Bellevue, Illinois will officiate.

Memorials may be made to Peoria Southside Mission; Church of God of Holiness, Bellevue, Illinois; Logan-Trivoli Rescue Squad, Hanna City, Illinois or the charity of your choice.