Heaton Dickson Dick Buckley

Dick was born on May 28, 1936 in Chicago, IL to Edgar Heaton and Jane Dickson Buckley. He attended Hay-Edwards grade school and graduated high school from the U.S. House of Representatives Page School. He attended Knox College and earned his bachelor's and master's degrees in political science from Illinois State University. Before attending ISU, he served in and was honorably discharged from the US Marine Corps. He was named a Ford Fellow by the U of I and was awarded an NDEA fellowship to pursue his PhD at the University of Rochester.

In 1962 he married Eileen Marie Wagner with whom he had three children. In 1989, Dick remarried Sally Wood Cox.

Dick served on the staff of Senator W. Russell Arrington and worked closely with leaders in the Illinois state government in his role as legislative liaison for the Dept. of Mental Health and the Dept. of Public Aid. Dick retired from the Illinois Department of Aging.

He is preceded in death by his parents, his brother James Hollem Buckley, and by his second wife Sally. He is survived by his first wife Eileen, his daughter Ann (husband Brian) Turner of Moore, SC, sons Mark (wife Betsy) Buckley of Brookfield, IL, and Scott (wife Lori) Buckley of Chicago, IL, seven grandchildren, Nick, Jake and Cole Turner, Whit and Finn Buckley, and Mallory and Sammy Buckley, one brother Stephen (wife Ann) Buckley of San Clemente, CA., and two nephews.

Dick loved playing bridge, golfing, listening to jazz and reading. Dick hated the liberal media, TV broadcasters who used poor grammar, and what's become of the State-Journal Register.

Cremation will be accorded by Butler Cremation Tribute Center prior to ceremonies.

Memorial Gathering and Ceremony: Family will receive friends from 1:00 p.m. until the Memorial Ceremony at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, March 1, 2015 at Boardman-Smith Funeral Home, 800 South Grand Avenue West, Springfield, IL with Rev. Dr. Gregory A. Tournoux officiating.

In lieu of flowers, please make a contribution to the charitable organization of your choice.