Irvin H. Rieches, 93, Cissna Park, IL

Irvin H. Rieches, 93, of Cissna Park passed away on Tuesday, April 10, 2012 at Carle Foundation Hospital in Urbana Illinois.

He was born May 19, 1918 in Cissna Park, IL, the son of Henry and Amanda Schumacher Rieches. He married Leona Rascher in Buckley on May 25, 1941.

He is survived by his wife of 70 years, four children, Ronald (Sharon) Rieches of Buckley, Richard (Kim) Rieches of Cissna Park, Ryan (Marian) Rieches of Santa Ana, CA, and Joy Lou (Jay) Walker of Champaign; one sister, Bernice Taden of Crescent City; 11 grandchildren: Triss (Andy) Henderson, Tyler (Beth) Rieches, Tracy (Chad) Ideus, James Rieches, Jess Rieches, Jill (John) Peters, Amanda Rieches, Lauren Rieches, Kaleb Walker, Micah Walker and Hannah Walker; 8 great grandchildren: Brenna, Josie and Zach Rieches, Ava and Cole Henderson, Tinley and Presley Ideus and Mia Rieches.

He was preceded in death by his parents; son, Lee; brother, Gilbert; brother, Orville; and sister, Lorena.

Irvin was a lifelong resident of the Cissna Park area and member of Trinity Lutheran Church where he was a long standing trustee. Growing up in the depression era, Irvin quit school in the 8th grade to help his family on their farm. Irvin and Leona began farming on Leona’s grandparents farm in the Woodworth area without a tractor using only horses and without electricity in their home. They bought their own farm near Ash Grove in 1948 where they attended St. John’s Lutheran Church at Ash Grove for 35 years. They moved to Cissna Park in 1974 and Irvin helped his sons farm while working at Kellerhals Electric. Irvin enjoyed working and never considered retirement until the age 90 when he passed his roofing business onto his sons Ron and Rich. He played dart ball for over 50 years in the Lutheran Church league, was a life-long Chicago Cubs fan and his biggest hobby was using his ‘jack of all trades’ experience to help others. ‘Irvie’ will be remembered for his fun loving personality, Christian faith and deep dedication to Leona and family.

Visitation will be from 4-8 p.m. Friday, April 13, 2012 at Knapp Funeral Home in Cissna Park. Funeral services will be held at Trinity Lutheran Church in Cissna Park at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, April 14, 2012 with visitation starting an hour before. Pastor Tim Hahn will officiate.  Burial will be in St. John’s Lutheran Cemetery at Ash Grove.

Memorial contributions may be given to Trinity Lutheran Church, Cissna Park or the donor’s choice.

Please sign the online guestbook at knappfuneralhomes.com