Richard W. "Dick" Travis

CHESTNUT, Ill. — Richard W. “Dick” Travis, 80, of Chestnut, died at 2:38 p.m. on Sunday August 12, 2012 at his home.

Dick was born in Havana, Ill. on September 28, 1931, the son of Bert and Belva Travis. After the passing of his parents, he and his brother Don went to live with Alvin and Anita Rentschler, in Chestnut. They were later adopted by Alvin and Anita.

Dick spent the rest of his life on the farm, where he came to live at the age of 12; he attended grade school in Havana, Ill. and parochial school at Zion Lutheran, Chestnut, and high school at Beason, Ill. He attended college at Lincoln College and Eastern, in Charleston, where he played baseball; he was a pitcher. He served four years in the U.S. Navy during the Korean Conflict. He was a member of the American Legion, in Mt Pulaski, a charter member of the Mt Pulaski Jaycees and served as a state vice president of the Illinois Jaycees and was a member of Clinton Country Club.

He was retired from farming and was an insurance broker, a member of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, in North Fort Meyers, Fla., where he and Connie spent the winters.

He married the love of his life Connie Doty on November 22, 1959 at the Methodist Church in Herrick,Ill.

Dick is survived by his wife of 53 years Connie, one daughter Lori (Pat) Przykopanski, of Mt Pulaski; two sons Rick (Kim) Travis, of Cowden, and Mark(Stephanie) Travis of Edwardsville, Ill., 11 grandchildren: Jared (Shellie) Travis, of Teutopolis, Ill., Meghan and Brittany Travis, of Cowden, Jerilee Travis Gaddis, of Mt Pulaski, Kaitlyn Przykopanski, of St. Louis, Mo., Kyle, Caleb and Chloe, of Mt Pulaski; Zachary, Jason and Nick, of Edwardsville, Ill., five great- grandchildren Dylan, Casey and Brody Gaddis, of Mt Pulaski; Tucker Travis-Cowden, Audrey Travis, of Teutopolis, mother-in-law Dorothy Doty-Cowden.

He was preceded in death by son Gerald “Jerry” L. Travis, grandson Justin Travis, two great- grandsons Griffin and Brinnon Gaddis, his parents, adoptive parents, three brothers and two sisters.

Dick enjoyed playing golf, fishing, four wheeling, playing cards and spending time with his family and friends. He will be missed by so many.

A celebration of life service for Richard will be 10:30 a.m. on Friday August 17, 2012 at Fricke- Calvert-Schrader Funeral Home, in Mt Pulaski, with Rev. Christopher Decker officiating. Visitation will be from 4-7 p.m. Thursday August 16, 2012 at Fricke Calvert Schrader Funeral Home. Burial will be at Laenna Cemetery, in Chestnut where full military honors will be accorded. Memorials may be made to the Chestnut EMS, Mt. Pulaski EMS or Zion Lutheran School.