Richard "Dick" Little

1926 - 2023

Richard "Dick" Little
Born: August 16, 1926 in Oregon, IL
Died: August 8, 2023 in Oregon, IL
This world has lost a unique, hardworking husband, father, grandfather, and friend.
Richard Little was born on a farm at the corner of Daysville Road and Route 64, across from the Oregon Golf Course, on August 16, 1926. The golf course was built in the same year. He attended Oak Ridge School for eight years, all taught by Evelyn Graf, a teacher he respected greatly and appreciated in later years. Dick graduated high school in 1944 and enlisted in the Army Air Corps on August 7, 1944. He served most of 1946 in Germany. He strongly considered staying in the Army. Things might have been quite different for us if he had done so. Dick was discharged on November 23, 1946.
Dick married Dolores Chamberlin on September 4, 1948. He had asked her for a date while they both were in high school, but she needed to ask her father. He said he knew Dick's Dad in their high school days and wouldn't allow her to go. They have never been able to figure that one out.
Dick worked on a farm by the month during 1949, the year their son, David, was born. Dick and Dee started farming on their own on January 1, 1950, and he continued farming until after harvest 2014. It was the best crop he had ever had, and he decided to quit while at the top.
They bought a farm in 1954 that later became White Pines Ranch. Over the years, they owned and rented farms in Pine Creek, Oregon, Grand Detour, and Rockvale Townships. The Ranch was the highlight of Dick's life. Dick Little was not religious but believed in the Golden Rule and tried to live his life that way. He enjoyed working with many people over the years at the Ranch. Dick was particularly supportive of young people regarding education and employment. He was always willing to help young people get back into school or college or give them a job to get them started in life. He has always felt that working at White Pines Ranch is a good stepping stone to bigger and better things. He was an excellent employer and had a very good working relationship with his employees. The staff structure at the Ranch has always been more like a family than an organizational chart.
Dick served as a trustee of the Oregon Fire Protection District for twenty-five years. He also served on several boards.
He is being laid to rest next to his wife and the Ranch he loved - in that order - Dee sometimes doubted that order, but it really was that way.
Our family would like to thank Larry Blume for being the "best damn neighbor and friend an old man could ask for."
He is preceded in death by his wife, Dee, and his daughter-in-law Linda Little. His children survive him David Little, Gig (Tex) Bellows, Sue (John) Andrew, and Andee (Todd) Brehm. Seven grandchildren Tyler (Chasity) Bellows, Jesse Little, Kayla (Terrence) Raper, Lillian Andrew, Dustin (Kelly) Brehm, Alix (Collin Marshall) Brehm, and Carson (Stacey Dinges) Andrew. 4 great-grandchildren Leona and Claire Raper, and Bowe and Campbell Brehm. He also had many "old" ranch hands and friends that he cared about deeply.
Instead of flowers or gifts, we request that donations be made to the Oregon VFW Post 8739.
Funeral services will be held at 1:30 PM on Sunday, August 13, 2023 at Farrell Holland Gale Funeral Home in Oregon. Visitation will be held from 11:00 AM until time of service. Burial will be at Mt. Zion Cemetery.