Richard James McDonald, 95, husband to recently deceased Phyllis “Kealy” (Altgilbers) McDonald, passed peacefully on September 12, 2022, surrounded by his children.

Richard, affectionately called Dick, RJ or Dickie, was born May 3, 1927, in Chicago and quickly became the stuff of legends. As a boy, he built his own life-size Ferris wheel and thought nothing of swimming across the Mississippi River. As a young teen, he swam into dangerous flood waters in the Gardner Denver building to rescue people and machinery. At just 17, he snuck into the US Navy to serve God and Country in WWII. His ship, the USS Jason, bore the motto “Ready Able & Willing,” which fittingly matched RJ’s focused and determined personality. While in the Navy, he completed his GED and back on land became the first in his family to graduate college (Quincy College, 1951). He then went on to build a thriving construction business, K&B Builders, pulling himself up from his own bootstraps to become a living embodiment of the American Dream.

Yet, his proudest achievements were marrying his sweetheart, Kealy, on September 22, 1951, and together giving birth to 10 kids, along with being Grandpa, Great-Grandpa and Great-Great Grandpa to soon-to-number 94 grands. Life with Kealy and their growing family led to countless adventures including many road trips, boating on the Mississippi and building three homes. They later relished frequent parties with their grown children and ever-expanding family at their home on Summer Creek.

RJ had and shared more fun than anyone you ever met. When he and Kealy danced onlookers would clear the floor to watch in amazement. RJ told stories that kept you on the edge of your seat and delighted in the stories his children and grandchildren told. He gave wise advice related to children, career, marriage, Catholicism and every project his family worked on. He was also well read and added keen insights to conversations on world affairs, politics and almost any topic.

Make no mistake, he could be fierce and would fight for what he believed in. And if as a teenager you crossed the line you would find due punishment in running the mile long track behind the house…a few times. With age he mellowed, becoming a more patient and compassionate man – yet always keeping his listeners on their toes and with a dose of humor.

Though life after Kealy passed was not the same, he spent a happy and healthy last year and a half in the home of his daughter, Kim, and her husband, Mike. Up until his last few weeks, he walked two miles a day at a clip that was hard to keep up with. To the end, the muscles he developed over a lifetime were larger than the average young man’s and he was still polishing off a slice of homemade pie in a wink.

On his last day, when asked if he would hold a place for his children in heaven, he blinked and smiled. Inspired by the deep love of Jesus and the Blessed Virgin Mary, Richard’s greatest delight was to pour that love out to his children and grandchildren. He leaves his family of over 120 with a great legacy to continue to “take care of the kids”. We will carry him in our hearts and forever be inspired by the legendary stories of his life.

RJ, a true American Hero, now dances in heaven with his Kealy.

CHILDREN: Michaeleen McDonald and her husband Kent Kamphaus of Springfield, IL; Richard “Tally” McDonald and his wife Gretchen (Kamphaus) of Quincy; Dominic McDonald and his wife Lisa (Hinton) of Quincy; Kim Hilgenbrinck and her husband Michael of Bloomington, IL; Damian McDonald and his wife Lisa (Robey) of Mendon, IL; Christopher McDonald and his wife Lisa (Kohl) of Liberty, IL; Jennifer Shields and her husband (Richard) of Bloomington, IL: Gerese “Gerri” Elbe and her husband (Michael) of Quincy; and Blaise McDonald and his wife Wendy (Marshall) of Liberty, MO.

GRANDCHILDREN: Priya Mehra and her husband Sharath Srinivasaiah, Ravi Mehra and his wife Jenny Thangjitham, Jill (Kamphaus) Borah and her husband Brent, Jennifer (Kamphaus) Pierce and her husband Todd; Austin McDonald and his wife Lindsey; Shawn McDonald and his wife Jackie, Quinn McDonald, Aaron McDonald, Devin McDonald and his wife Charlene; Blaise Hilgenbrinck and his wife Krista, Fr. Chase Hilgenbrinck; Mya (McDonald) Spector and her husband Dr. Matthew, Connor McDonald and his wife Dr. Alison Guest, Bryn (McDonald) Peters and her husband Tyler, Brie (McDonald) Matlach and her husband Daniel; Christopher McDonald and his wife Andrea, Keaton McDonald and his fiancé Julie Hudson, Brennan McDonald; Caroline Blair, Miles Blair and his wife Stephanie, Amanda (Blair) Cook and her husband Jared, Hayley Shields; Olivia (Elbe) Barry and her husband Justin, Harrison Elbe and his wife Ashley, Lincoln Elbe and his wife Amber; Harper (McDonald) Ward and her husband Sam, and Jack McDonald.

GREAT-GRANDCHILDREN: Clayton, Carter, Connor, Owen and one more on the way; Sylvie; Keegan and fiancé Emily, Kerigan and fiancé Parker; Briggs, Bristol; Dominic, Carter; Jiles, Haizley, Krimzyn, Cruze, Jensen; Bradley, Nicholas, Nora, Jon Connor; Cayson, Breckyn, Vaylea, Cyra, Lynus, Breya, Thayne, Novy; Augustine, Dietrich, Winston, Robey; Adalyn, Emma, Kellen, Arthur; Henry, Charles, Margaret, Clive; Killian and Vera.

GREAT-GREAT GRANDCHILDREN: Lynnix, Bexsen and Waiks. Numerous relatives also survive along with our dear family friend, Fr. James Wheeler.
Richard was preceded in death by his spouse, Phyllis; their infant son, Jack McDonald; their infant granddaughter, Lizabeth Ann McDonald; his parents: Mary Ann Kill and Robert McDonald; and his brother, Robert McDonald.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, September 17, 2022, at 10:00 AM at St. Peter Catholic Church with interment in Calvary Cemetery. Visitation will be held on Friday, September 16, 2022, from 4:00 to 7:00 PM at St. Peter Catholic Church. Mass intentions can be made to Fr. Chase Hilgenbrinck. Memorials may be made to Up at Down Country through The Duker & Haugh Funeral Home, in charge of arrangements.