Rick A. Chase

Rick A. Chase, 72, of Highland, Illinois, formerly of Tampa, Florida and Pocahontas, Illinois, passed away peacefully with his family by his side at 6:26 p.m. on Wednesday, October 22, 2025, at Saint Louis University Hospital in St. Louis, Missouri.

Rick was born on March 21, 1953, to the late William S. and Bernice A. (nee Motor) Chase, in East St. Louis, Illinois.

Rick attended Pocahontas Grade School and graduated from Greenville High School in 1971.

Rick married his one true love, Yvonne D. Simma, on May 19, 1979, in Pasadena, California.

He returned with Yvonne to Pocahontas in 1980 when he began working at Carlisle SynTec on the general production line. He worked at the plant for the next 35 years, retiring in 2015 as maintenance supervisor. The day of his retirement, Rick took his watch off for the last time. He made the conscious choice to enjoy a hard-earned retirement by not living for the clock.

To many he was known as Rick, but to the truly lucky he was known as Pop and Papa. When his boys were young, he coached Little League and attended as many of their sporting and school events as possible, even though that meant sacrificing sleep as he juggled the swing-shift schedule at the rubber plant for nearly 20 years. Rick willingly accepted the role of father figure to many over the years, offering a listening ear and frank advice on how to make good choices while stressing the importance of hard work and the value of education.

Rick truly was a fixer and a doer – remodeling homes, repairing everything from a broken lawnmower to a broken heart. He was always willing to help out a friend or a family member with anything he could.

Nothing melted his heart more than his granddaughters. Rick always took the time to listen to them, and each girl always knew they could count on him for anything. From golf cart rides to Friday night dance parties, he loved hanging out with his girls. They have inherited his love of good music of all kinds, especially classic rock from the 1970s, and his fondness for the real classics, The Looney Tunes and Tom & Jerry. Always his grandchildren's biggest cheerleader, Rick could be found in the bleachers at dance recitals, basketball, volleyball, and softball games, graduations, and award ceremonies.

A true animal lover, Rick never met a dog that did not love him back. His family and friends often referred to him as the "dog whisperer." At any gathering with a dog present, Rick could be found with that dog calmly resting by his feet.

Rick also enjoyed a relaxing game of golf with friends.

Survivors include his wife of 46 years, Yvonne Chase; his sons Matthew (Shannon) Chase of Pocahontas, Illinois, David Chase of California, Christopher Williams of Tampa, Florida; daughter, Jennifer (Morgan) Klein of Tampa, Florida; four granddaughters, Annalee Chase, Averie Chase, Malu Klein and Milan Klein; sister, Debbie (Larry) Lile of Greenville, Illinois; sister-in-law Cheryl Simma of Greenville, Illinois; and several nephews and nieces.

He was preceded in death by his daughter/granddaughter Brooke Williams, granddaughter Gracie Chase, his siblings Bernard Chase, Eileen Chase, and Charlotta Chase along with both of his parents.

Rick did not want traditional funeral services. A celebration of life will be held at a later date set by the family. Private burial services also will be scheduled at a later date at Robinson Cemetery in Pocahontas, IL.

The family has entrusted Assalley Funeral Home in Greenville with the arrangements.

Please visit www.assalleyfuneralhomes.com to share memories or offer condolences to the family.