Richard W. Glash

McHENRY - Richard W. Glash, 80, of McHenry, died Wednesday, Aug. 19, 2009, in his home.

He was born May 23, 1929, in Chicago, to Paul and Victoria (Stube) Glash. On May 6, 1950, he married Jeanette L. Hodgson in Chicago.

To him, family always came first. He loved being with and doing everything with his family. He was a competitive roller skater along with his wife. He loved boating, water skiing, fishing, going to his place on Castle Rock, Wis., and had tried snow skiing. Most of his life, he was just one of the kids. He always was ready to go to any of the grandchildren's or great-grandchildren's events at school, such as concerts, plays, sporting events and swimming lessons. In his later years, he loved to hunt for bargains at garage sales. He was a tool and mold maker and worked for Baxter Healthcare for 27 years building prototype molds. He was very handy all his life, always fixing up items such as bikes, go-carts, toys, etc., and he loved to eat.

Survivors include his children, Richanne (Ronald) Nicolai, Wileen (David) Peterson, Dean (Kim) Glash and Tina (Ronald) Pawelczak; he was blessed and loved by his grandchildren, Tracy Szarowicz (Ken Miller), Erin (Tom) Hibbs, Jason (Amanda) Nicolai, Jodi Nicolai, Jamie (Rachel) Nicolai, Kyle (Angie) Glash, Neil Pawelczak, Ryan Sluga, Telina (Andy) Behrns, Michelle Peterson, Gwen De Blois and Jennifer Kemper; and his great-grandchildren, Breanna Glash, Michael Dean Glash, Reid Nicolai, Mason Nicolai, Kenadie Behrns, Kevin Hibbs, Parker Behrns, Tate Nicolai and Austin Nicolai; and a brother, Roy (Carol) Glash.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Paul and Victoria Glash; his in-laws, William and Lucy Hodgson; his wife of 57 years, Jeanette; his brother, Robert; his sister and brother-in-law, Beatrice and Robert Tarkowski; and his brother and sister-in-law, Bill and Marian Hodgson.

The visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday, Aug. 21, at Colonial Funeral Home, 591 Ridgeview Drive, McHenry. Prayers will be said at 10:15 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 22, at the funeral home, proceeding to St. Mary's Catholic Church, McHenry for an 11 a.m. Mass celebration. Interment will be private.

Memorials may be made to the church or to the American Heart Association.

For information, call the funeral home at 815-385-0063.