Michael Glenn Richards, age 75, of Centralia, IL went to be with his Savior Saturday, July 16, 2022 at SSM Health Good Samaritan Hospital in Mt. Vernon, IL with his family by his side. Mike was a 1965 graduate of Pope County High School. He attended Harrisburg Junior College then continued his education at Southern Illinois University- Carbondale where he obtained a master’s degree in administration. Mike was a Special Education Educator at Warren G. Murray Center in Centralia from 1969-1977, and then moved to Pope County to work at Dixon Springs Boys Camp from 1978-1980. He returned to Centralia in 1980 and was the Educational Facility Administrator of the Centralia Correctional Center and ended his career as the Southern Illinois Team Leader in 2002.
Mike lived in the Centralia community for over 50 years. He had two daughters, Darla Miller and husband Brian and Holly Davis and husband Andy, three precious grandchildren, Madison Miller, Riley Miller, and Grant Davis, all of Centralia. He was an active member of the Foundation Church (Centralia Free Methodist) where he served in many capacities. For those who knew Mike, knew that he was a man of many talents and strengths. He was a pillar to all he loved. He spent much of his life camping, fishing, crafting, building, and serving others.He was also a big fan of the St. Louis Cardinals. Mike and Darlene were always there when family and friends were in need. Mike’s most prized possessions were his three grandchildren. He loved playing games, singing and acting silly with them and also taking them for ice cream because he knew “they” always wanted some. Gramps enjoyed supporting his grandchildren’s extra curricular activities.
A Celebration of Life service will be held on Friday, July 22,2022 at 7pm at Foundation Church (Centralia Free Methodist) in Centralia. The family will be available from 5 until the start of service to greet family and friends. Refreshments will be served following the service. The funeral will be held at Glendale United Methodist Church where his father pastored during the years of 1964-1973. This place has a special meaning because it is where his love story began. After 11 months and 4 days he is in his final resting place where he has been reunited with his love in their heavenly home. Services will be held at 2pm on Saturday, July 23, 2022 with Tommy Gray officiating. Visitation will be held from noon until the time of service. Interment will follow the service at the Glendale Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Glendale Cemetery Fund, C/O Charlotte Benard, 45 Cedar Grove Road, Simpson, IL 62985
Mike is survived by his sister Linda Daughtery and husband Mick of Dahlgren, IL, his brother, James Richards and wife Joann of Goreville, IL, sisters-in-love Jenny Richards of DeSoto, IL, Frances Schuchardt and husband Norris of Glendale, Donna Evitts, of Branson, MO, Barbara Lou Bender and husband Bill of Houston, TX, Ethel Bates and husband, Edd of Vienna, IL, brother-in-love, Charles Glen Evitts and wife Barbara of Paducah, KY and three generations of nieces and nephews and many cousins. Mike was also blessed with special “sisters” Tonia Davis and husband Jeff, Lisa Brothers (the late Michael Brothers) all of Centralia, IL.
Mike was born on February 7, 1947 in Murphysboro, IL, son of the late Reverend Thomas M. Richards, Jr. and Mary Elizabeth “Betty” (Will) Richards. On March 24, 1967 he married the love of his life Darlene (Evitts) Richards in Glendale, IL. She preceded him in death on August 12, 2021. In addition to his wife and parents, he was preceded in death by his infant brother, William Edward Richards, brother, Thomas Monroe Richards, III, brothers-in-love Howard Evitts, Kenneth Evitts, George Evitts, Michael Evitts, John Bailey, and Stanley Broadway: sisters-in-love, Pam Richards, Mildred Bailey, Alice Ann Broadway, Mary Alice Evitts: father-in-love, Whitnel Evitts and mother-in-love, Edna Mae (Hertter) Evitts: nephew, Allen Bailey.
