Harry F. ‘Rick’ Straley
Harry F. ‘Rick’ Straley passed away January 23, 2023 in Blessing Hospital after a brief battle with stage 4 lung cancer at the age of 65. Rick was born on October 22, 1957 in Quincy, IL to Harry “Hap” and Dorothy (Helmedag) Straley. He was the 5th child and the only boy.
He attended Ellington School for Kindergarten and St. Dominic’s School 1st through 8th grades. He then attended Catholic Boys (Quincy Notre Dame) for his 4 years of High School.
He began working at Hardee’s on Broadway in 1972 when he was just 15. He became an assistant manager. There he met his wife of 45 years, Susan (Young) Straley. They were married on June 25, 1977 in St. Francis Solanus Church in Quincy. They were blessed with three children. Rick was the “go to guy” for anyone needing help with their appliances. He began working at Selby Implement delivering appliances. He learned how to service those appliances and became the repairman. At one time he managed the appliance department. As Selby was eliminating the appliance department, he decided to open his own business. He opened Rick’s Appliance Service in 2001. He loved his job and all his customers. Rick would take Sue out to breakfast on Mondays and they would ride around as he showed her several roads she didn’t even knew existed. He would point out a house and knew who lived there and the type of appliances they had. Even after his retirement in 2014 due to having a stroke, people still called him for appliance advice and inquired about who to call to repair their appliances.
Rick was a member of the Knights of Columbus for 34 years. He held several offices while a member. He enjoyed being a Knights of Columbus Bar-b-Que Chairman. Rick also enjoyed being a bartender there and visiting with all the people.
Some of Rick’s hobbies over the years included playing softball, bowling, throwing darts, going out for breakfast with his wife and friends, golfing, making trips to the boat and most recently playing cards at the kitchen table with his wife and grandsons. His favorite hobby was attending and participating in his kid’s and grandson’s activities. Due to an incident during a golf outing with friends, he was nicknamed Tumbleweed. Rick enjoyed his golf outings with friends on Thursdays.
Rick was a die hard Cub fan. We are thankful he was able to see the Cubs win the World Series in 2016. A definite highlight in his life.
In addition to his wife, survivors include his children: Jason Straley and his significant other Dominica Langley of Rockledge, Florida, Kristan Miller and her husband Brad of Hull, Illinois, and Ryan Straley and his wife Melissa of Plainville, IL. Grandchildren: Tristan Tyson, Trevor Langley and Tenley Straley of Rockledge, Florida; Blane, Brendan and Janyla Miller and Hayes and Lincoln Frericks of Hull, IL; Harrison and Nicholas Straley of Plainville,IL and Ashtyn Smith of Quincy, IL. Two sisters, Cindy Duker of Liberty, MO and Judy (Glen) Neisen of Ewing, MO. A maternal aunt, Helen Williams of Quincy. Numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews also survive. As well as other relatives and close friends.
Rick was preceded in death by his parents, his sisters Mary Fee and Sandra Straley. Brother in-laws Larry Fee and William Duker as well as other relatives and friends.
The family would like to thank Dr. Ali, Dr. Kim and Dr. Fallon and the staff at QMG as well as the amazing caretakers at Blessing Hospital for their devoted care over the last couple of months.
Funeral services will be on Monday, January 30, 2023 at 1:30 pm at Duker & Haugh Funeral. Visitation will be at the funeral home before service from 11:30-1:30. Interment will be in Calvary Cemetery. Memorials are suggested to St. Francis Solanus School, Quincy Notre Dame High School or American Cancer Society.
Sue and kids. Your are all in out thoughts and prayers! We are so sorry for your loss!! Mary and Lisa Junkerman
One Great Guy!
RIP Hap. Thanks for being the Great Guy you were. My sympathy to you Sue and your family.
Sorry for your loss. Thoughts and prayers to the family. Fred Steinway family.
Rick was an all around great guy. Our hearts break for his family. We ask that God bless them and keep them wrapped in warm, loving memories.
Our deepest sympathy to Aunt Sue, Jason, Kristan,Ryan and there families. Love Lori and Jeff.
Sue I am so sorry to hear of Rick’s passing. He was such a great guy. He will be missed.
Sending prayers for you and your family.
Very sorry for your loss, Sue. My condolences to you & you family.
Great memories with Rick spent a summer vacation with him when we we just kids thought of him as my younger brother he will nt be forgotten I will pray for peace to the family and Rick Rest In Peace
our condolences and prayers to your family (may he rest in peace !!!!!! )
Sue I am so sorry to hear of Rick’s passing. Had some great times in our earlier days at the KC. Prayers for you and your family.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you Sue and family, Rick was such a good guy! He could always fix anything. So sorry for your loss!
Sue & kids – Rick is with Jesus! What a great thought! Remember the good times and know you are in my prayers!
We are so sorry for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Always had a wave as you passed their house. Great guy! Nice neighbors.
Condolences to his family. Rick was such a nice guy. He serviced our appliances when he worked at Selby’s. Then when he had his own business, we used Rick. He even came to Maywood when I moved there. Always so friendly. He talked about a trip to FL the family went on. We were saddened when he came to the point he couldn’t work anymore. That was back awhile ago. Good guy..
Sorry for your loss Sue and family. Everyone is in our thoughts and prayers . He was a great guy.
Rick was such a genuinely nice guy. He will be missed by all who knew him. Our thoughts and prayers are with Sue and the family.
Sue & Family, Ron and I are so very sorry for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Jan & Ron Sutherland
Prayers for your family.Rick worked on many of our appliances.He was so good at what he did.RIP Rick.
We will never forget you both as wonderful neighbors, always ready to lend a hand. And your sweetness toward our special needs kids, especially Reuben who always wanted to tell Rick about his Special Olympic basketball games! Thinking of you, Sue, and wishing you the happiest of memories.
Sue, I’m so sorry to hear of Rick’s passing. Will always remember good times we had at the KC’s. Rick was such a great guy. Thoughts and Prayers to you and the family. Bob and Jean ❤️
Sue and family, we are so sorry for your loss. Rick was a friend to all. I will always remember the times playing baseball with Rick in the old neighborhood. Peace, Deacon Dennis and Pat Holbrook
Sue
so sorry for your loss Rick seemed to always be willing to help others when the need was there.