Richard L. Whitehead, 77, of Hillsboro, died on Monday, May 6, 2019, at 10:24 a.m. at Memorial Medical Center in Springfield.
Graveside services were held at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, May 8, at Elmwood Cemetery in Litchfield. Rev. Ralph Ward of Hillsboro officiated the service. Bass Patton Dean Funeral Home of Hillsboro was in charge of arrangements.
Mr. Whitehead was born on May 30, 1941, in Hillsboro, to Harold R. and Ada I. (Hill) Whitehead. He married Cynthia Schoen in August 1978, in Hillsboro, who preceded him in death.
He was a 1959 graduate of Hillsboro High School and studied at Southern Illinois University in Carbondale for three years. Mr. Whitehead was a veteran of the U.S. Navy from 1959 to 1962. He was employed as a quality control inspector at Illinois Tool Works in Elgin.
He loved to attend high school sporting events and city council meetings in Hillsboro.
Mr. Whitehead is survived by his children, Joanna L. Gallegos of Elgin; Bill Gildow of California and Kelly M. Piccola of New Jersey; four grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.
In addition to his parents and wife, he was preceded in death by one sister.
Memorials may be directed to the donor's choice. Condolences may be left online at basspattondeanfh.com.
