Richard D. Renkes, 66, of Prophetstown, IL, died Monday, January 19, 2015, at GCH Medical Center in Sterling, IL.
Rich was born on July 8, 1948, in Morrison, IL, to Warren and Meredith (Domdey) Renkes. He was educated in the Morrison grade schools and graduated from Morrison High School in 1966. Rich served in the United States Air Force. He married Sally Gilman on March 31, 1973, in Pontiac, IL. For many years Rich was a floor installer with the family business, The Renkes Paint Store, located in Morrison. After the store closed he continued to install floors independently. He was currently employed by the Prophetstown Park District. Rich was a past member of Lyndon United Methodist Church and was a current member of Prophetstown United Methodist Church. He was also a member of the Prophetstown American Legion Post #522. Rich enjoyed wood working, leather crafting, and listening to gospel music. He was artistic in nature and painted many pictures. He was an avid Atlanta Braves, Chicago Bears, and Blackhawks fan and enjoyed all sports in general. Rich was the family handyman and was always available for any family member that needed some assistance. He loved spending time at—and taking his grandchildren to—the cabin his Grandpa Domdey built on the Mississippi River in Thomson, IL. The grandchildren remember him for giving them rides to school or wherever they needed to go on the spur of the moment. He enjoyed going to their events, watching “Dora,” playing with Play-Doh, and telling Ellie, “You’re a good girl, you know that, right?” He loved his kids and would always do whatever they needed him to do, day or night. He loved family gatherings and saw good things in each and every one of his children and their mates. He was his wife’s best buddy, and she adored him. Rich was truly a gentle, patient, honest, and non-judgmental man.
Survivors include his wife, Sally; two daughters, Dixie Renkes-Taylor of Prophetstown and Jill (Carl) Renkes-Weidel of Prophetstown; one son, Dustin (Tirzah) Renkes of Prophetstown; seven grandchildren, Ellie and Jaden Taylor, Max, Simon, and Mya Weidel, Wynn and Laken Renkes; his mother, Meredith Renkes of Morrison; one sister, Rhonda (Richard) Tracy of Dubuque, IA; one brother, Rolland R. (Janet) Renkes of Morrison; many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his father; one brother, Raymond Warren Renkes.
Cremation rites have been accorded.
MEMORIAL SERVICE: 10:30 a.m., Saturday, January 24, 2015, at the Morrison Chapel of the Bosma-Renkes Funeral Home
OFFICIATING: Rev. Cheri Stewart, Pastor of Prophetstown United Methodist Church
MEMORIAL VISITATION: 4:00 to 7:00 p.m., Friday, January 23, 2015, at the Morrison Chapel of the Bosma-Renkes Funeral Home
INTERMENT: Grove Hill Cemetery, Morrison, IL
Memorials have been established to the Prophetstown American Legion, St. Jude Children’s Hospital, and Prophetstown United Methodist Church.