Rick Wayne Onstott Sr.

CREAL SPRINGS - Rick Wayne Onstott Sr., 58, of Lake of Egypt, Creal Springs, passed away at 5:15 a.m. Saturday, June 7, 2008, in Helia Healthcare of Energy.

He was born Feb. 13, 1950, in East St. Louis, the son of Leslie Wayne and Marybeth (York) Onstott.

Early in his life, he attended school in East St. Louis and Millstadt. After eighth grade, he attended Belleville West High School, where he was active in sports, especially baseball and wrestling. He was a graduate of Belleville West High School in 1968. After his graduation, he enrolled at St. Louis College of Pharmacy, and he also began working for Cerro Copper Plant, near East St. Louis, and worked there for 12 years.

He was united in marriage in 1970 to Vicki Covalesky, and to this union two sons were born, Rick Wayne Jr. in 1973 and Derek Allen in 1978.

Rick finished his education in pharmacy at St. Louis College of Pharmacy, graduating with a bachelor's degree in pharmacy in 1980. Soon after his graduation, he began his pharmacy career working at Winkelman's Pharmacy in St. Louis for several years. He later worked in the pharmacy at Lutheran Hospital of St. Louis. Some of the other companies he worked for include Walgreens and Wal-Mart. He last worked for CVS Pharmacy of Carbondale.

Rick was of the Protestant faith and a member of the American Pharmacist Association.

He was united in marriage to Catherine Mary Meyer on Dec. 22, 1987, in St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands.

In 1991, Rick and Cathy moved from South County St. Louis, Mo., to their new home on the Lake of Egypt, near Creal Springs. Rick was very involved in the building of their new home, doing much of the work himself and helping other tradesman.

Rick loved being a pharmacist, never seeing it as work. In his spare time, he enjoyed traveling, going many times to Florida, listening to music of the 1950s through 1990s, reading and watching baseball.

Rick will be remembered for his dedication to his wife and children, his willingness to help others, his great sense of humor and his laugh.

He is survived by his mother, Marybeth Onstott of Belleville; wife, Cathy Onstott of Lake of Egypt, Creal Springs; two daughters, Morgan Brittany and Madison Bailey Onstott, both at home at Lake of Egypt; two sons, Rick Wayne Onstott Jr. and Derek Allen Onstott, both of St. Louis; brother and sister-in-law, Mark Lee and Karan Onstott of Belleville; other extended family and many friends.

He was preceded in death by his father and sister, Dawn Lynn Onstott.

Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Thursday, June 12, 2008, in Wilson-McReynolds Funeral Home, with Dr. Victor Long presiding. Interment will follow in Rose Hill Cemetery of Marion. Visitation for family and friends will be from 5 until 8 p.m. today at the funeral home.

In memory of Rick W. Onstott Sr., the family has requested memorial contributions be made to the education fund for his daughters, payable to "The Onstott Children Education Fund." Envelopes will be available at the funeral home, or contributions may be mailed in care of Wilson-McReynolds Funeral Home, P.O. Box 370, Marion, IL 62959.

For additional information, visit www.wilsonmcreynolds.com or call 993-2131.