Richard Lee Halford

Richard Lee Halford, 87, of Glenarm passed away Wednesday, October 1, 2025, at Springfield Memorial Hospital, surrounded by loved ones. His arrival to this world was on May 8, 1938, in a garage in Edinburg, Illinois, the third and youngest child of Hallye and Eva Yeaman Halford. His parents were in the midst of remodeling their home and were at the time residing in the garage. Richard's arrival was a complete surprise to his two older siblings, Gary and Bonnie, as they did not know that there was a baby on the way. When Richard was a few years old, the family moved to a grain and dairy farm north of Pawnee, Illinois, where Richard grew up helping to deliver milk in Pawnee, and where his lifelong love of farming began. He graduated from Pawnee High School in 1956. In 1954, while at a dance in Pawnee, Richard met Carolyn Kay Curby from Chatham. On September 28, 1957, Richard and Carolyn were married at Glenarm Methodist Church in Glenarm, Illinois. From the day they were engaged through the entire 68 years they were married, Richard and Carolyn never missed a day of seeing each other. Those 68 years were full of making many wonderful memories with each other farming, boating, skiing, camping, traveling, exploring cemeteries, taking leisurely drives, and spending time with family. Richard farmed in the Glenarm and Chatham area with his son, stepping out of the combine for the last time just two weeks ago. He enjoyed restoring and driving his 1947 Willys Jeep, reading, watching Westerns, and "resting his eyes." He was a charter member of Sugar Creek United Methodist Church and served on the Cumberland Sugar Creek Cemetery board, most recently overseeing the restoration of the cemetery which was completed in 2024. He was also a faithful member of the Chatham Hardee's/McDonald's Coffee Bunch, keeping his well seasoned coffee mug in his truck. Richard was a beautiful, loving, caring, stubborn, fun-filled man who always strove to be and do his very best. His children and grandchildren will forever be indebted to him for the sage wisdom of his "Richardisms" that he imparted on them at every opportunity. He was a lover of family, having fun, wearing his boots, and eating peanut butter. He was greatly loved and will be terribly missed. Richard is survived by his wife of 68 years, Carolyn; son John (Bridget) Halford of Chatham; daughter Barbara (Steve) Hedinger of Chatham; grandchildren Rick (Casie) Halford, Sarah (Brett Crudgington) Halford, Hallie (Chad Lahnum) Hedinger, Hannah (Sean Paul) Hedinger, and Grace Hedinger; great grandchildren Arianna, Callan, Jacob, and Emmett; sister Bonnie (Jim) Wagner; brother-in-law Karl (Barb) Curby; sister-in-law Joanne Curby, and many nieces and nephews. Visitation will be held from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. Thursday, October 9, 2025 and from 9 a.m. until the time of service at 10 a.m. Friday, October 10, 2025 at Sugar Creek United Methodist Church, Chatham, Illinois. Burial will follow at Cumberland Sugar Creek Cemetery. Memorials may be made to Midwest Mission, 1001 Mission Drive, Pawnee, Illinois 62558. To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Richard Lee Halford, please visit our floral store.