Richard William Zehr, 72, Fairbury died at 1:57 am Monday, November 3, 2008 at Northwestern Memorial Hospital, Chicago.

Funeral services will be at 11:00 am Friday, November 7, 2008 at the First Presbyterian Church, Fairbury with Rev. Spencer Homan officiating. Burial will be in Graceland Cemetery, Fairbury. Visitation will be 2:00 to 8:00 pm Thursday at Duffy-Pils Memorial Home, Fairbury and 10:00 to 10:45 am Friday at the Church. The family suggests memorials be given to the First Presbyterian Church, Fairbury.

Mr. Zehr was born August 3, 1936 in Fairbury the son of Joseph and Alice Sutter Zehr. He married Dlorah Ward on January 27, 1963 in Fairbury. She survives in Fairbury.

Also surviving are his children, Todd Zehr, Kristyn (Eddie) Ricketts, both of Fairbury, Steven (Sherry) Zehr, Memphis, TN, seven grandchildren, Chad, Josh, and Taylor Zehr, Anna and Grant Ricketts, and Ava and Nathan Zehr, three sisters, Arlene (Charlie) Farley, Fairbury, Thelma (George) Saathoff, Eureka, IL, Carol (Perry) Virkler, Owatonna, MN, and one brother, Roger (Becky) Zehr, Peoria, IL.

He is preceded in death by his parents and a son, Trent Ward Zehr.

Mr. Zehr was a 1954 graduate of Fairbury Cropsey High School. He served in the Illinois National Guard and was a former member of the Fairbury JAYCEES. He served on the Fairbury Cropsey school board for 2 terms and was President during the consolidation process with Forrest and Chatsworth schools. He was an active member of the First Presbyterian Church, Fairbury. Richard engaged in farming for the past forty eight years and felt this was his passion in life. He enjoyed sharing all that he remembered about his family history and was fortunate to have traveled to many places in the United States and abroad. Richard was loved by many and will be greatly missed by all those whose lives he has touched.