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Richard MELCHER Obituary
Richard Melcher
SPRINGFIELD - Richard L. Melcher, 52, of Springfield died at 9:40 a.m. Thursday, June 7, 2012 in Springfield. He was born August 7, 1959 in Springfield to Walter Russell Melcher, Jr. and Edna May Gust Melcher. Preceding him in death are his mother, Edna Melcher; brother, Ronald Melcher; sister-in-law, Lana "Toy" Melcher and aunt, Ruth Melcher.
He was a lifelong resident of Springfield. Richard was a truck driver for the United States Postal Service. He served in the United States Army from 1980-83. Richard was an avid Cardinals Baseball fan and memorabilia collector. He enjoyed shooting and collecting his guns and loved spending time with his grandchildren and family.
Surviving are his friend Dawn Melcher, three sons, Douglas, Michael and Bryan Melcher, all of Springfield, three grandchildren, Brooke, Amarah and Hunter Melcher, father, Walter R. Melcher of Springfield, one sister, Carolyn (David) Fickas of Springfield, two brothers, Walter Melcher III and Kevin (Barbara) Melcher of Maryville and several nieces, nephews and cousins.
Visitation: 9:00 – 11:00 am, Tuesday, June 12, 2012 at St. John's Lutheran Church.
Funeral Service: 11 am, Tuesday, June 12, 2012 at St. John's Lutheran Church with Pastor Ladd Sonnenberg officiating. Burial will follow at Oak Ridge Cemetery where Sangamon County Interveterans Burial Detail will conduct military honors.
Memorial contributions may be made to St. John's Lutheran Church Pastor's discretionary fund or Memorial Regional Cancer Center.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Richard MELCHER
Theresa Petrella
June 14, 2012
I wish to send my condolences to all of Melcher family. Rick was a great man. I know he will be missed by all of you. He will be watching over all of you and keeping all of you safe...including You Dawn.
I am so sorry for your loss..keeping in my thoughts and prayers always! He loved you all.
Carolyn Melcher-Fickas
June 12, 2012
Rick,
Rest in peace! You will always be in my heart!
Love your Sis
Natalie
June 12, 2012
I was shocked to learn of Rick's passing. When we spoke he always talked about his boys & his grandchildren. Rick will surely be missed. God bless
Randie Meade
June 12, 2012
I was shocked to hear of Rick passing. I wish to express my deepest sympathy to the Melcher family. My prayers are with you all! Rest in peace Rick!
Brenda Melcher
June 12, 2012
Dawn, Doug, Mike and Bryan...my prayers are with all of you at this moment. Take care and God Bless.
Amanda Ausmus
June 12, 2012
Doug my prayers are with you and your family right now.. Just remember Hunter has a very special guardian angel watching over him right now and every night when he sleeps your dad is right there with him...
Trish Archer Garner
June 11, 2012
Dawn & family, I'm very sorry for Rick's passing. I pray 4 peace & comfort for all- may God be with u all now & always
M. Nelson
June 11, 2012
Dawn and Sons, I am very sorry to hear of Rick's passing. What a shock. Although we had our differences. I want you to know I respected the love all you had for your family. May God bless each and everyone of you. Please take care.
Luanne Loving
June 11, 2012
Doug
so sorry to hear about your dad's passing. Prayers to you and your family.
Chloe Brockman
June 11, 2012
Dawn & Boys, we are so sorry to hear about Rick. We had some good times on Sun Downer Lane. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Mike & Chloe Brockman and Jay, Kristy, Deanna, Rusty and Stephanie.
Debbie Shockley
June 11, 2012
I would like to express my sympathy to the Melcher family my prayers are with your family
Angel Hayes
June 11, 2012
Carolyn, Walter and Melcher family: My thoughts and prayers are with you. May you find the strength to get through this difficult time and find comfort in your memories. Know that Toy will be waiting with open arms to welcome him into Heaven.
Jana Clark (Ausmus)
June 10, 2012
To my dearest family, some things I'd like to say...
but first of all, to let you know, that I arrived okay.
I'm writing this from heaven. Here I dwell with God above.
Here, there's no more tears of sadness; here is just eternal love.
Please do not be unhappy just because I'm out of sight.
Remember that I'm with you every morning, noon and night.
That day I had to leave you when my life on earth was through,
God picked me up and hugged me and He said, "I welcome you."
It's good to have you back again; you were missed while you were gone.
As for your dearest family, they'll be here later on.
I need you here badly; you're part of my plan.
There's so much that we have to do, to help our mortal man.
God gave me a list of things, that he wished for me to do.
And foremost on the list, was to watch and care for you.
And when you lie in bed at night, the day's chores put to flight.
God and I are closest to you....in the middle of the night.
When you think of my life on earth, and all those loving years
because you are only human, they are bound to bring you tears.
But do not be afraid to cry; it does relieve the pain.
Remember there would be no flowers, unless there was some rain.
I wish that I could tell you all that God has planned.
But if I were to tell you, you wouldn't understand.
But one thing is for certain, though my life on earth is o'er.
I'm closer to you now, than I ever was before.
There are many rocky roads ahead of you and many hills to climb;
but together we can do it by taking one day at a time.
It was always my philosophy and I'd like it for you too...
that as you give unto the world, the world will give to you.
If you can help somebody who's in sorrow and pain,
then you can say to God at night......"My day was not in vain."
And now I am contented....that my life has been worthwhile,
knowing as I passed along the way, I made somebody smile.
So if you meet somebody who is sad and feeling low,
just lend a hand to pick him up, as on your way you go.
When you're walking down the street, and you've got me on your mind;
I'm walking in your footsteps only half a step behind.
And when it's time for you to go.... from that body to be free,
remember you're not going.....you're coming here to me.
Ruth Ann Mahaffey (author)
©Copyright 1998
kim Tucker
June 10, 2012
To the Melcher family I wish to send my condolences for the loss of Richard he was a nice man and will be missed in my thoughts and prayers Sorry for your loss
Bob Engel
June 10, 2012
Dawn and family,
I am sorry to here of Rick's death. He was a good guy and we always got along while I lived next to you on Sundowner Lane in the mid '80's.
May God bless you and comfort you during this difficult time.
June 10, 2012
My condolences to the Melcher family,thoughts and prayers to all..Sorry for your loss. Chris Burt Shoemaker
Dawn Melcher
June 10, 2012
I take comfort in knowing you are no longer suffering or in pain. I know that you will always be watching over our kids keeping them safe. I'm glad I could be there when you needed me most. May you finally have the peace you wanted. You will be missed.
Carol Durbin
June 10, 2012
I wish to send my condolences to the entire Melcher family. I am a mailhandler at the Decatur, IL Post Office where Rick drove every day and knew him for many years. I also knew Walt in that same way. Rick and I would speak every evening when he came and would talk about the Cardinals. It was a real shock when I heard about his death.
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