Richard R. Rieger *
FORREST – Richard R. Rieger, 86, a resident of Fairview Haven Nursing Home, Fairbury, formerly of rural Forrest, died at 10:50 p.m. Tuesday (Dec. 5, 2006) at the nursing home.
His funeral will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at the Forrest Apostolic Christian Church, with ministers of the church officiating. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday at Martin-Burke Funeral Home in Forrest and from 9 to 9:45 a.m. Saturday at the church. Burial will be at South Apostolic Christian Cemetery in rural Fairbury. The family suggests memorials be left to Fairview Haven Nursing Home or the Forrest Apostolic Christian Church.
Mr. Rieger was born Dec. 7, 1919, in Livingston County, a son of Andrew and Matilda Sohn Rieger. He married Marian Meister on June 26, 1941, in Fairbury. She preceded him in death on Dec. 29, 2004.
Surviving are two daughters, Mary (Dan) Bradley and Matilda “Till” (Harry) Johnson, both of Forrest; one daughter-in-law, Diane Rieger, Chatsworth; three sons, Dick Rieger and Andy Rieger, both of Forrest, and Tom Rieger, Strawn; 16 grandchildren; and 19 great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife; one brother, Harvey L. Rieger; and two sons, Warren Dee Rieger and Ronald Rieger.
Richard was a member of the Forrest Apostolic Christian Church, where he had served as a Sunday school teacher for 15 years. He was a farmer and farmed the family farm from 1941 to 1985. He had also been a county committeeman for the Department of Agriculture. He was a loving husband, father and grandfather.
The Pantagraph, Bloomington, IL; Dec 6, 2006