CHRISTOPHER – Pattie Richard, 96, completed her life’s journey at her home in Christopher on Sunday, May 18, 2025.
She was born on October 8, 1928, in Herrin, Illinois, to Sam and Mary (Oldani) Morani where she grew up with her sister, Shirley (Monty) Cooper. She married Floyd Richard on July 14, 1951.
She is survived by her son, Scott (Angela) Richard of Christopher; daughter, Lisa Richard of Carterville; and daughter, Tina (Michael) Shelby of West Frankfort; grandchildren: Dylan (Belinda) Richard, Candie Golec, Cody Shelton, Miranda (Alex) Melvin, Christopher Richard, Dustin Richard, and Alexia Richard; great-grandchildren: Caleb Daugherty, Damion Shelton, Kendyl Bilderback, Quinton Richard, Keira Richard, Stella Frailey, and Wrenley Melvin.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, Floyd; sister, Shirley (Monty) Cooper; son; Jim Richard; son; Chuck Richard; and son-in-law; Michael Shelby.
Pattie’s life was fulfilled by her faith, family, community, and her compassion for caring for the ill. She graduated with her RN degree in 1950 from St. John’s School of Nursing in Springfield, Illinois. Pattie began her career in nursing at Miner’s Hospital in Christopher and then continued her services in the community well beyond her retirement. She was a recipient of the First Lady of the Year Award in Christopher and the Christopher Citizen of the Year Award. Pattie’s faith in the Lord and commitment to the Catholic Church, that she attended daily, were unwavering. She prayed to the Rosary daily for world peace, for the protection of every member of her family and members of the community. Pattie’s definition of faith was to believe in God, trust in Him, accept His will to be done, and surrender everything to Him.
Funeral services will be held on Thursday, May 22, 2025, by Fr. Urban Osuji, at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Benton.
Visitation will be from 9-11 a.m. with the funeral mass at 11 a.m., immediately followed by a lunch in the St Joseph’s Parrish Hall. Following lunch will be the interment/burial at St. Andrew’s Catholic Cemetery in Christopher.
The family and Pattie would like to thank the “village” of special friends that helped her through her transition of life.
For anyone wishing to donate flowers, Pattie requested instead to consider giving to the St. Joseph’s Catholic Church to assist local families in need or to the St. Andrew’s Catholic Cemetery.
For more information go to our website www.gilbertfuneralhomes.com.