RICHARD C. LACERTE, 78, of 708 Milnes Drive in Morrison, IL, died Thursday, February 18, 2010, at Morrison Community Hospital in Morrison, IL.

Richard was born on May 30, 1931, in Fort Wayne, IN, to Oswald J. and Helen (Razak) Lacerte. He graduated from South Side High School in Fort Wayne, IN in 1949. He then furthered his education, graduating from Purdue University in 1953 with a Bachelor of Science in Metallurgical Engineering. He married Thelma M. Fiori on July 17, 1954, in Trenton, NJ. Richard was employed by L.T.V. Steel Corporation, formerly known as Jones and Laughlin Steel Corporation, of Hennepin, IL, retiring in 1993. He was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church of Morrison, IL. He was also a member of the Whiteside County Forum. Richard was a master gardener with the Illinois ExteService and a member of the Knights of Columbus. He enjoyed gardening and was an avid reader.

Survivors include his wife, Thelma; three daughters, Judith (Thomas) Martineau of Burnsville, MN, Lisa (Mark) Muehlfelt of Wheaton, IL, and Linda (Christopher) Dell of Pleasantville, NY; six grandchildren, Erin Mackey, Olivia Muehlfelt, Zachary Muehlfelt, Natalie Dell, Cullen Dell, Kasey Martineau; one brother, Donald (Doris) Lacerte of France.

He was preceded in death by his parents and one daughter, Suzanne Lacerte.

FUNERAL MASS:  10:30 a.m. Wednesday, February 24, 2010, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Morrison, IL

OFFICIATING:  Rev. Father William Antillon, Pastor of St. Mary’s Catholic Church

VISITATION:  6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Tuesday, February 23, 2010, at the Morrison Chapel of Bosma-Renkes

INTERMENT:  Grove Hill Cemetery, Morrison, IL

MEMORIALS:  St. Mary’s Catholic, Morrison, IL; Mass Offerings will be accepted