Richard Allen Kirchner

Richard Allen Kirchner, a lifetime farmer who worked his fields right up until the day he entered the hospital, died in Springfield, IL, on June 28, 2024, after a brief but fierce battle with pancreatitis. He was 88 years old. He was born Thanksgiving Day in rural Virginia, IL, on November 28, 1935, to Frederick “Butch” and Nellie Irene (Fielden) Kirchner. He was the baby of the family and was especially loved by his big sister Nelda. He enjoyed showing cattle in 4-H and began his farming career at the early age of nine. Rich attended Live Springs Country School, a one-room schoolhouse, through eighth grade, occasionally driving his teacher to school during the winter months. He attended Chandlerville High School, where he played quarterback in a leather helmet on their highly successful football team and was a starter for the equally successful basketball team, earning a scar on his back from being thrown into the chairs on the old Chandlerville stage. He was also senior class president and attended Boys State, eventually graduating in 1953. Soon after, Rich assumed a full-time role on the family farm, beginning his lifelong passion for farm, family, and faith. Following graduation, Rich met Norma Jean Hopper after seeing her at the school's annual Halloween Carnival. By May, he had given her a diamond, and on July 3, 1955, Rich and Norma Jean wed in Chandlerville, IL. They moved into their first house in the Sangamon River bottoms, where they raised all four of their amazing daughters. In 1977, they built a family home on the Beardstown blacktop, where they lived his remaining years. Rich led a life of service. He served in the Army Reserves for eight years, from 1954 to 1962. A lifelong resident of Chandlerville, he was a member of the Sangamon Valley Presbyterian Church, Cass County Farm Bureau, Chandlerville Masonic Lodge #724, Chandlerville Chapter #544 Order of the Eastern Star, and the Chandlerville Board of Education. This particular 25-year commitment to education spawned a long line of teachers in the family. Besides his love for all things farming, Rich also had a vested interest in family activities. He was often seen in the bleachers at various sporting events: volleyball, softball, basketball, baseball, soccer, football, and track & field. He attended numerous choir and band concerts, musicals, and more graduations than most could keep up with. While he was a man of few words, he was an excellent storyteller, sharing neighborhood history and humorous tales of his youth in vivid detail. The river valley will forever hold memories of Rich—living, loving, and farming. Rich was preceded in death by his parents, his sisters Nelda Henry and Muriel Dodds Reddish, and his brother Paul Kirchner. He is survived by a large and boisterous family: four daughters, Cindy (Marke) Bobbitt of Virginia, IL; Lisa (Brian) Privia of Virginia, IL; Pat (Ken) Abbott of Garland, TX; and Kris (Hugh) Carlock of Chandlerville, IL; twenty-nine grandchildren, Nicki (Jim) Graham, Josh (Mindy) Marr, Ellen Marr, Emily Bobbitt, Mathew Bobbitt, Brant (Kathie) Privia, Kara Martin, Emily (Eddie) Legner, Krista (John) Kobos, Richard Abbott, Steven (Audrey) Abbott, John Abbott, Jean (Aaron) Bray, Cole (Rachel) Carlock, Wes (Rachel) Carlock, Regan (Reed) Collins, Micah (Galdino) Guijosa, and Ferin Carlock; and 31 great-grandchildren with one on the way. Rich was larger than life and the best example of what a husband, father, grandad, and friend should be. Rich had a strong faith and lived a beautiful and full life with Norma Jean, the love of his life. Just shy of their 69th wedding anniversary, Richard leaves behind a legacy of loyalty and love, which will help guide and support those he has left behind until they meet him again. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Sangamon Valley Presbyterian Church. Visitation is planned for Tuesday, July 2 from 4:00-7:00 p.m. with a funeral service and graveside rites on Wednesday, July 3 at 10:00 a.m. at Hurley Funeral Home in Chandlerville.

Richard Allen Kirchner

November 28, 1935 - June 28, 2024

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