Richard W. McGee Jr., 100, of Hoyleton passed away, surrounded by the love of his family, Sunday, December 11, 2022.
He was born on December 17, 1921, the son of Richard Sr. and Anna (Carter) McGee in Louisville, Illinois. He married Rena Walkwood and she preceded him in death on November 27, 1952. He married Lois Jean (Blankenship) Pryor on December 18, 2004, at Bethel Baptist Church in Odin and she survives in Hoyleton.
Along with his wife, Lois McGee, Richard is survived by his stepchildren Garry Pryor and wife Joyce of Centralia, Kim Poehlmann and husband Karl of Florida, Karen Ford and husband Kenny of New Baden, and Dallas Pryor of Florida; 12 grandchildren; 23 great-grandchildren; 2 great-great-grandchildren; his brother Stanley McGee and wife Loraine of Dongola, Illinois; and several nieces and nephews.
Along with his first wife Rena McGee, Richard was preceded in death by his parents; sister Mary Lou Morland and husband Don, JoAnn Stader and husband Bill; brother Jess McGee; and stepson Denver Pryor.
Mr. McGee was a United States Army veteran, serving during World War II. He was a builder and a loyal employee of General Motors Automotive Plant, and Navistar. He was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Hoyleton and a member of the American Legion in Nashville. Richard and his wife Lois loved to travel as snowbirds to Florida each winter and were grateful for the many friendships made, and good times shared there. Known by Grandpa Richard to his grandchildren, he was always ready to spend time making memories with his cherished grandchildren. He was happy on the lawnmower, keeping his yard freshly manicured, and was a great help with the family’s garden. Richard and Lois had a wonderful marriage and truly enjoyed their time together, traveling to many beautiful destinations. He was an excellent husband who would help Lois with dishes, laundry, vacuuming, and anything he was asked to do. Richard was well respected, gentle, kind, generous, and an amazing provider for his family. He will be deeply missed but never forgotten.
A celebration of life service will be held at 12:00 p.m. Friday, December 16, 2022, at the Irvin Macz Funeral Home in Centralia with Pastor Nathan Wollenberg officiating. Interment will follow at Andereck McClelland Cemetery in rural Sandoval, where Military Rites will be accorded by the Centralia VFW Post 2055 and Centralia American Legion Post 446. Friends and relatives are welcome to a visitation time from 11:00 a.m. until the time of the service at the funeral home in Centralia. Memorials may be made in Richard’s honor to the Alzheimer’s Association. Online condolences and memories of Richard may be shared with the family by visiting www.maczfuneralhomes.com and/or on the funeral home’s Facebook page.
