Rick Selinger

Rick Selinger obituary, Athens, IL

Rick Selinger

About

Rick Selinger Obituary

Visit the Mott & Henning Funeral Home website to view the full obituary.

Rick Selinger, age 73, passed away on Sunday, February 22, 2026, at his home.

Rick was born on May 18, 1952, in Springfield, Illinois. On November 9, 1974, he married his high school sweetheart, Linda Siemert.

Mourning his passing are his wife, Linda; his children, Rich (wife Jamie) Selinger, Andrea Trickey, and Kevin (wife Katie) Selinger; his sister-in-law Dorothy Selinger; seven grandchildren, Brad (wife Kenzie) Trickey, Colt Selinger, Bryson Trickey, Kai Selinger, Brenton Trickey, Ruby Selinger, and Otto Selinger; one great-granddaughter, Blakely Trickey; and several nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Henry (wife Lois) Selinger and Delores Pollack; his brothers, Dennis and Mark Selinger; his sister, Karen Selinger; his aunt, Betty McLean; his uncle, Jack Selinger; and many other beloved family members.

Rick was deployed as a Military Drug Investigator for the US Army in Korea during the Vietnam War. After serving his country there, Rick returned home and earned a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice from the University of Illinois at Springfield and worked as a Deputy Marshal for the US Marshals Service.

He also attended farrier school in Oklahoma and shod horses for over twenty years. After leaving the Marshals, Rick became a coal miner, first in Virden and then in Elkhart, where he specialized in mine safety and led the mine rescue team in various competitions throughout the United States. He later earned his CDL and saw the entire country as an over-the-road semi driver. Upon retirement, Rick found his calling and became a bus driver for the Williamsville school district. He loved his bus kids and found much enjoyment in getting them safely back and forth to school and sporting events.

Rick belonged to many organizations, including the Pleasant Plains Masonic Lodge where he served in numerous leadership positions and made great friends. He was also a member of the Ansar Shriner organization in Springfield and the Williamsville United Methodist Church, where he served as trustee.

Growing up, Rick enjoyed competing in horse shows and competitions with his brother, Dennis, and continued that love of horses throughout his life, owning and training quarter horses, Belgian drafts, Shire drafts, and even a few donkeys and a pony.

His farm in western Illinois was his pride and joy, as well as his place to get away. He spent his time there hunting, fishing, and thoroughly enjoying the property with his children and grandchildren, in whom he instilled a love and appreciation of the outdoors. Additionally, Rick enjoyed raising cattle, restoring antique farm equipment, and loving on his puppies.

He was loved by all and will be missed.

A celebration of life will be announced at a later date. Memorial donations may be made to the Pleasant Plains Masonic Lodge and the Williamsville United Methodist Church.

Mott & Henning Funeral Home is assisting the family. Online condolences can be shared at www.mottandhenning.com.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Mott & Henning Funeral Home

206 N Main P.O. Box 257, Athens, IL 62613

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