Richard "Rich" L. Mckillip

Richard Leo “Rich” McKillip, 88, of Galesburg, died at 1:20 a.m. Tuesday, October 16, 2018 at Heartland Health Care, Galesburg. Rich was born January 10, 1930 in Galesburg, the son of Paul William and Mary Cecelia (O’Brien) McKillip.  He married Phyllis Irene Dyer on February 3, 1951 in Galesburg.  She preceded him in death on November 17, 2013.  Rich is survived by six sons, David (Dia) McKillip and Dale (Cindy Boyd) McKillip both of Galesburg, Donald (Diane) McKillip of Minooka, Dean (Michele) McKillip of Sandy, UT, Duane McKillip of Peoria, and Darren (Dena) McKillip of Houston, TX; three daughters, Diane McKillip of Galesburg, Donna (Jim) Larson of Oneida, and Danette (David Coleman) McKillip of Galesburg; 20 grandchildren, and 18 great grandchildren.  Rich is also survived by one brother, Joe (Fannie) McKillip of Galesburg; and a sister in law, Martha (Willard) Carroll of Kewanee.  Along with his parents and wife, Rich was preceded in death by one daughter, Deana; two brothers, Bob and Bill; and two grandsons, Jeff Larson and Robbie Boyd. Rich graduated from Corpus Christi High School and St. Ambrose University.  He taught science and biology for many years, first teaching at Aquinas High School in Ft. Madison for 7 years and then Knoxville High School for 15 years.  While teaching Rich also managed the Wareco Gas Stations on Monmouth Blvd. and Grand Ave. in Galesburg.  Rich also worked at Butler Mfg. in Galesburg as a second shift general foreman for over 20 years, retiring in 1995, but continued working at Butler part time until 2003.  While at Aquinas Rich coached basketball and coached baseball and football while teaching at Knoxville.Rich was a devout and faithful catholic and attended Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church, where he served as an eucharistic minister and altar server, working many funeral masses.  Rich was also an avid Chicago Bears fan. The rosary will be prayed at 3 p.m. Sunday, October 21, 2018 at Watson Thomas Funeral Home and Crematory, with visitation following from 4 to 7 p.m.  Funeral Mass will be 10 a.m. Monday, October 22, 2018 at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church with Rev. Father William T. Miller officiating.  Burial will follow in St. Joseph’s Cemetery, Galesburg.  Memorials may be made to St. Vincent DePaul Society Food Bank or ROWVA FFA in memory of Rich’s grandson, Jeff Larson.