Richard Louis Rakers
Richard Louis Rakers, age 88, of Quincy, IL went to his heavenly home on April 18 in Blessing Hospital. He was born February 27, 1937, in Quincy. IL. He was the son of Louis and Catherine (Howe) Rakers. He married Alice Marie Beckman April 8, 1961, in St Francis Church.
Rich was a 1955 graduate from Quincy Notre Dame where he played football and baseball. He always loved watching the University of Notre Dame play football and the St Louis Cardinals baseball games. Rich joined the Illinois National Guard and served for six years. His first place of employment was with Artcraft in Quincy where he worked for three years.
Rich was a Sheet Metal worker for 35 years and was a member of Local 91 in Rock Island and a member of Local 36 in St Louis. He enjoyed telling stories to his 10 grandchildren about his work for two months in Nigeria, West Africa for Harris Corporation through Stroot Heating and Air Conditioning. In 1981, after attending the Advanced Instructors Program at Ohio State University, he was the Sheet Metal apprentice instructor for 17 years for the southern area of Local 91 retiring in 1993. He then worked for Quincy Public Schools as a custodian for 8 years at Quincy Junior High. He retired in 2001.
He was a member of St Dominic and St Anthony Parishes where he served as Sacristan, Eucharistic Minister, Usher and Rosary Leader. It was also an honor to serve the Tuesday morning Mass. Rich was Scoutmaster for St Dominic Troop 76 for five years. He was a 50-year member of the Knights of Columbus #583. Rich and Alice were charter members of the Musselman Audubon Society. They enjoyed birding and through their travels had seen over 500 species in Costa Rica, Belize, and throughout the United States. They participated in many bird counts which he enjoyed. Working in their yard with a variety of flower beds was a source of enjoyment and pride
He was interested in helping the less fortunate which led him to take two trips to Jeremie, Haiti where he used his skills helping the religious Sisters on building repairs. He also gave many programs on Haiti at the grade schools in Quincy. His older grandchildren got him interested in making Mission Rosaries and he sent thousands of rosaries to the Mission Office in Springfield. This was also a project he headed with the 3rd and 4th graders. In 2003 he and Alice took part in the Belize Children’s Project hosting Jerek, an 8-year-old boy for 6 months while he had treatment at Shriner’s Hospital in St. Louis.
Rich is survived by his wife, Alice, three children Gregory (Karen) Rakers of Millstadt, IL, Anne (Jeff) Meyer and Sharon (Scott) Jones of Quincy.
Ten grandchildren Kendra (Bennett) Hartmann of Iowa, Kole Rakers and his fiancé Sam of Wisconsin and Kaleb Rakers of Millstadt, Makenzie (Brad) Holtmeyer, Breanne, Jordan, Keiley. and Grace Meyer of Quincy, Logan Jones of Quincy and Devin Jones of Colorado.
Six great-grandchildren: Meredith, Charlotte, Lincoln and Madelyn Holtmeyer, Addison Hartmann and Thomas Altheide. Also, brothers Paul (Anita) Rakers and Jim (Pat) Rakers and sister Mary Humphrey and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and a son Patrick sister-in-law Judy Rakers and brother-in-law Howard Humphrey.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be on Friday, April 25, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. in St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church by Rev. Tom Donovan. Interment will be in Calvary Cemetery. Visitation will be at Duker & Haugh Funeral Home on Thursday from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. and Friday morning from 9:30 a.m. until 10:00 a.m. Memorials may be made to St Anthony Church, St. Dominic School or Quincy Notre Dame High School.
Alice and family,
I send my condolences and prayers for you on your loss of Rich. I always considered him a friend and will miss him as I know you will.
Rich Duesterhaus
Alice and family,
You are in our thoughts and prayers. Rich is very dear to our hearts. He was a true example of a man who lived his faith❤️. The many years he and you came to make rosaries with my class is a true testament of his faith. I always looked forward to spending time with you both. Every May 1st , every time I say a rosary I will think of him:). Also anytime I enjoy a butterfingers:). He touched my heart!
Meg and Chris Benner
Rich was my first cousin. Our mothers were sisters. Rich was always telling stories about Grandma Howe being the only person who could milk a cow that belonged to the family. When she came down sick, one of the boys put on Grandma’s hat and put one of her dresses over his clothes. That cow let him milk her with no problem at all.
Rich always tried to help those less fortunate. He and Alice loved their birding experiences and they love working on the flowers and Rich enjoyed the pond in the back yard. When you came to their house for a visit, you were invited to look at all of the “goodies” in the back yard.
My prayers and thoughts are with you Alice and your family.
Rich and your friendship with my parents Alex and Barb Kemner were so special.
I can remember many gathering listening to the stories and the laughter.
I am sure my dad especially will be there to greet and give Rich a tour of heaven.
Alice & Family
Sorry for the loss of Rich. I enjoyed our time together once a year hearing about the kids, grandkids, and the birds. No doubt he is so much better off where he is at. Unfortunately those of us who remain are a little worse off without his presence.
Godspeed Rich!
Alice and family,
I am so sorry to hear of your loss. My first memories of Rich are from the many Sunday nights he served leading QND bingo. Rich was such a kind, gentle, and selfless person. I pray that God will give you the strength you need in the days ahead, and that HE will fill your hearts with the many great memories you created, and shared, together. God Bless.
Alice, Greg, Anne, Sharon, and Family,
I am sure sorry for your loss. I was glad we had the opportunity to stop by the house back year an half ago to visit and reminisce about growing up in the neighborhood. Mr. Rakers is how I knew him growing up as Pat and I were best of friends. He was always kind, fair and always seemed to have a heart of gold. Prayers for the entire family!
Thinking of you, Alice.
Mrs. Rakers and family , I am so sorry for your loss. Mr. Rakers was such a kind gentle and selfless person. From giving as a scout leader with Mrs. Rakers Working with him as a kid at the annual Spaghetti Diner at St Dominic’s on the dishwasher line, even though he knew I was a bit of a hellion he always taught me how to be better with respect. Thanks!!!! As an adult I would run into him and was always interested in how things were going. He and Mrs. Rakers were always giving …such great people ….he will be missed