Richard L. Duff

Richard Louis “Dick” Duff, age 85, of Henderson, Illinois, passed away peacefully at 3:06 p.m. Saturday, June 29, 2024 at Seminary Manor, Galesburg.

Dick was born February 27, 1939 in Kewanee, Illinois, the son of Lawrence Carter and Truilly Amolly (VanDewoestine) Duff. After graduating from Kewanee High School in 1957 Dick went to work for McClelland Dime Store in downtown Galesburg. He remained there until he took over concession operations for Lake Storey and Bunker Links Golf Course. Later Dick went to work at Sears and Roebuck. Shortly after the store moved to Sandburg Mall, Dick and Dorothy purchased Yeager’s Hardware Store. They owned and operated Duff Hardware and later Duff Ace Hardware until the store closed in 2004. After retiring from the store, Dick worked at Farm King and later Lowe’s in Galesburg. He then worked for a time at Hansen Lumber Co, and last worked at Southard’s Car Wash until 2020.

Dick married Dorothy Lucille Schatz on August 5, 1961 at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church in Galesburg. They had two children, both of whom survive, Sarah Lynn Iles (Bill Shea) and Bradley Carter Duff both of Henderson, Illinois, one granddaughter, Sylvia Lynn (Colton) Stone and one great granddaughter, Stella Lucy Michelle Stone. Dick is also survived by one brother, Raymond (Delores) Duff of Kewanee, Illinois; one sister, Delores Grubaugh of the Villages, Florida; two brothers in law, Edward Schatz (Delores Vogel) of Fraina, Illinois and Robert (Corrine) Schatz of Dubuque, Iowa; two sisters in law, Virginia Mansfield of Chesterfield, Missouri and Dolores (David) Peters of Papillion, Nebraska; and many nieces, nephews, great nieces, and great nephews. Along with his parents, Dick was preceded in death by two brothers-in-law, Fred Grubaugh and Francis Schatz; a niece, Kimberly Grubaugh, a nephew, David Duff, his in-laws, George F. and Mary Alvena Schatz; and a sister-in-law, Mary Catherine Russell.

Dick served in the Army National Guard from August 14, 1961 to July 31, 1967. Dick was a longtime member of Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church where he served as eucharistic minister for the homebound for several years. He volunteered many hours for the FISH Food Pantry in Galesburg. He served for many years as a Henderson Village Trustee and was a member and fire chief at Henderson Fire Department. In his free time, Dick enjoyed being outdoors. He had raised poultry since he was 14. In 1995, Dick and Dorothy planted 5,000 American hardwood trees on their property in Henderson and many hours of mowing.

Memorial Mass will be 10:30 a.m. Saturday, July 13, 2024 at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Galesburg. Private burial will be at later date at Henderson Cemetery, Henderson, Illinois. Memorials may be made to the Henderson Fire Department or a charity of the donor’s choosing. Arrangements have been entrusted to Watson Thomas Funeral Home and Crematory, Galesburg.