Richard Mathias Obert
Richard Mathias Obert, 93, of Quincy passed away in his home on Friday, December 11, 2020.
Richard was born November 30, 1927 to Mathias C. and Esther L. (Hufendick) Obert in Quincy, Illinois.
On June 20, 1959 he married Dolores C. Hildebrand
in St. Francis Solanus Catholic Church in Quincy.
She preceded him in death on February 19, 2013.
Richard was a well-known Ellington Township Road Commissioner and Adams County Board Member. He served his country, community and family well through his lifetime.
Richard attended St. Michael’s School in Quincy. He spent his early life working on the family dairy farm.
He served his country in the United States Army during the Korean War. He attained the rank of corporal and was in the 453rd Engineers Division of the army from 1952 to 1954. He loved to share his memories of his time stationed in Pusan, Korea and about the special people of Korea he met. He fondly remembered driving his fellow soldiers to church on Sundays, giving his rosary to a dying man, helping construct an airport, and celebrating his final night there by dancing a jig on a 50-gallon barrel.
After his service he returned to the family dairy farm, worked for Midwest Dairy and Willers Dairy, and began his career with Ellington Township. He succeeded his father as Road Commissioner, a job Richard held until his retirement in 1990.
Richard was elected to the Adams County Board for District 5 in 1990 and served 16 years. He served on the Mill Creek Water District Board for 22 years. He loved campaigning and meeting the public. He was a Democratic Precinct Committeeman for many years. Also, he was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Knights of Columbus, American Legion, and Western Catholic Union.
Richard was a lifelong baseball fan having played first base and centerfield for the St. Michael’s ball team, was an avid Cubs fan, and in his later years even enjoyed watching the Cardinals. Throughout his life he always had a soft spot for all things old, whether it be an antique bottle or an elderly person. Along with his family, he was a regular at the Adams County Fair and many social events throughout the community.
He could strike up a conversation with anyone he met and would gladly share a laugh and a smile.
Faith and family were his top priorities in life.
His Catholic faith was very important to him demonstrated by his devotion to the Mass and praying the Rosary. He was a member of St. Francis Solanus Parish, former member of St. Dominic Parish, and often attended St. Anthony Church.
Richard looked forward to family gatherings. His life commitment was to his wife and family, and this was never more evident than in the last few years that he and Dolores had together. Following her receiving a kidney transplant he never left her side. It was known that if you saw one you were likely to see the other. Watching the two of them glide across the dance floor in their younger days let you know they were a team.
Their marriage was blessed with eight children; James (Karen), Yvonne (Gerald “Booty”) Campbell, Richard, Steven (Penny), Alan (Todd), Mathias (Amy), Leon and Joanne (Jeff) all of Quincy.
Richard truly loved his role as “Grandpa Rich”. He is survived by his grandchildren; James (Pat) Obert Jr., Kayla (Joe) Krussell, Timothy (Ashley) Obert, Kristy (Cory) Stegeman, Katyann (Blake) Obert, Kelly Obert, Kori Kay Obert, Holly (Dustin) Schell, Nicholas (Jodeen) Campbell, Lucas (Sara) Campbell, Victoria (Cory) Obert, Stephanie Obert, Jacob Obert, Nathan Obert, Emily (Eathen) Obert, Mathias Obert, Dana (Brennan) Cramer, and Catherine (Monte) Cramer.
“Great Grandpa Rich” was another title he welcomed with delight and is survived by Emma, Sophia and Eli Schell; Magnolia and Hope Campbell; Adam, Natalie and Claire Campbell; Timothy Jr and Isabelle Obert; Jamie Stegeman; Waylon Aden and Riggin Wietholder with more to come.
He is also survived by his siblings:
Robert (Jane) Obert, Paul Obert, Alvin “Butch” (Dorothy) Obert, and Carol Vogel. Also, sister-in-law Doris Hildebrand, brother-in-laws Joseph Sanders and Kenneth Dietrich along with many cousins, nieces, nephews and dearly loved godchildren.
In addition to his parents and wife he was preceded in death by a grandson Joshua Cramer, a great- granddaughter Grace Schell who was tragically taken from us on October 4th of this year, his brother and sister- in- law Donald and Anna Mae Obert, sister and brother- in- law Marjorie and Loren Hufendick, sister –in- law Carol J. Obert, brother- in- law Ronald Vogel and several sister and brother- in- laws from the Hildebrand side of the family.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, December 18, 2020 at 10:00 AM in St. Francis Solanus Catholic Church. Interment in Calvary Cemetery with military honors conducted by the American Legion Post #37 and the Illinois National Guard Honors Detail.
Visitation will be held on Thursday evening from 4:00 until 7:00 at St. Francis Catholic Church.
Memorials can be made to St. Dominic School, the #belikegrace scholarship fund, or St. Francis Church.
Duker & Haugh Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.
To the Obert Family I’m so sorry to hear of the loss of your father. He was a hard working family man. He worked hard to make our community a better place!!!
Leon & the rest of your family: i am so sorry to be told of your father’s death. You all have my deepest sympathy and prayers for peace during this difficult, sad time in your lives. i had the pleasure of meeting him one time a year ago at the Adams Co Fair. He had a wonderful, sweet spirit and treated me like he’d known me forever! I carried his food to his table at the Old Time dinner. He was so proud of his grand-daughter? performing and i don’t blame him; she did a wonderful job of entertaining all. Fathers are so special to a family and he was one grand father and friend to all. Love and peace be to you in this sad time in your lives. Rosemary
To all of the Obert family, may God bring you comfort and peace knowing Rich is in our heavenly fathers care. We will keep all of you and him in our prayers, God Bless you.
Mark, Laurie and all of the Morrison family
He was a great man, I am so sorry for your loss. Prayers to all your family and God bless
So sorry to hear of Rich’s passing. He was a great guy and will be missed by everyone who knew him. Got to know Rich many years ago through politics. Rich never talked ill of anyone and always had nice things to say. Our thoughts and prayers are with family!
So very sorry for your loss. Thinking of your family and prayers for your Dads speedy journey to be with your Mom.
To all of the Obert Kid’s! I am very sorry to hear about your Dad! Rich was a wonderful Guy & always had a big smile on his face! When ever I saw him or he saw Me, Rich always had alot to talk about and he will be dearly missed! My Thoughts and Prayers are with all of you and your Families! My love and Sympathy! R.I.P. Richard Obert! GOD BLESS
Rich was a national hero, great public servant & respected family man who will be missed by many. I always enjoyed visiting with him. My condolences to the family.
Jim, our sympathy and prayers to you and the family on your loss. Roger & Nancy.
Sympathy and love to all the Obert family. Many good memories at the Adams Co Fair with all of them there.
I have struggled what to say…….I have had the blessing to know and work with him for over 50 years. He loved his wife immensely. He loved his family totally. He loved helping people. He was a strong man of faith. He had a contagious smile and a warm and receptive personality. He was a MAN that we should all strive to mirror and hold out as a model. He is is heaven now with his wife, Grace and everyone that went before him. The Obert Family please know you are not alone in your pain and we all surround you with our love and respect. God Bless, Mike and Cinda McClain
When our sister/sister-in-law Karen first married into the Obert family we immediately realized what a special family this was and continues to be. And much of that owes to Rich ( and his dear wife Dolores) and the kind of people they were, and the great legacy they left in children, grand-children, and great-grandchildren. We came from Washington, Mo. to visit Quincy as often as we could and remember the wonderful reception we and Joe’s parents Joe Sr. and Ruth Scherer got every time we visited. So we offer this simple expression of sympathy to the entire family and pray that this difficult process of letting go of a loved one will not be long-lasting, and may turn to gratitude for an example of a life well-lived.
So sorry to hear about your loss prayers to your family
To all my Obert cousins, I am very sorry for the loss of your dad. I always felt close to him as he was my Godfather. I’ll never forget one Christmas when I was begging mom and dad for a horse. Dad must have told your dad that because your dad got me a horse statue with 3 little colts. That was the closest I ever came to having a horse. I cherished those horses for many years. I hope as you all . come together during this sad time that through the tears you may share many smiles as you remember the good times you had with your dad. Your mom was always so good to send me a Christmas card and she always signed it “ love, your Godfather Uncle Rich”. Your dad had many accomplishments, but none more important than the wonderful family he helped to raise. I know he was so proud of each one of you. You are all in my thoughts and prayers. My love and sympathy.
Awesome Guy, Awesome Family……
He was a Superman in the community and raised wonderful kids prayers are with the family
So sorry to hear of the loss of your dad. May all of your favorite memories bring you comfort at this time.