Obituaries

Walter R. Richards, resident of Dunham Rehab and Healthcare in St. Charles, died Monday, January 25, 2021 born in Belvidere, IL on July 16, 1925, he joined the U.S. Navy at the age of 17. He served in the Pacific aboard the USS Bellatrix during World War II. He married Bette Appleton in 1946. The couple moved to St. Charles, and ultimately had five children. Following her death, he married Dorothy Fredrichs Cox in 1974, and lived in Streator, IL until her death in 2011. He subsequently returned to St. Charles to be near his children and siblings. His entire work career was with Burgess Norton in Geneva, from which he retired in 1987, as Grinding Department Manager. One of his proudest moments came in 2010, when he was a part of an Honor Flight to Washington DC, honoring World War II veterans. He is survived by his children, Scott Richards and Brian Richards, both of Downers Grove, David (Nancy) Richards of St. Charles, and daughters Nance Kowalski of Waukegan, and Kristi (Alan) Meyer of Woodridge as well as 11 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. Also, surviving are siblings Herb Richards of Geneva, Betty Kay of St. Charles, and Glenda (Charles) Fankhauser of Napa Valley CA. In addition to Bette and Dorothy, he was preceded in death by seven additional siblings. Graveside services were private. The family asks that memorial donations be made to Honor Flight, either online or at Honor Flight, Box L-4016, Columbus OH 43260-4016.

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