Richard "Dickie" Jeffries

OTTAWA - Richard "Dickie" Jeffries, age 79, of Ottawa, passed away at 8:27 p.m. Saturday, November 14, 2009 at Ottawa Regional Hospital and Healthcare Center. Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:00 a.m. Wednesday at St. Mary's Church in Naplate, with Rev. Lourduraj Ignatius celebrating. Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at Gladfelter Funeral Home with prayer service at 4:00 p.m. Richard Jeffries was born May 28, 1930 at Ottawa, Illinois, a son of Clyde and Mildred (Comparon) Jeffries. He married Marlene Vicini October 30, 1952 at St. Mary's Church. Surviving are his wife, Marlene; children, Jody (Rodney) Kennedy of Naplate, James (Cindy) Jeffries, Rick (Judy) Jeffries and John Jeffries and special friend Sherrie all of Ottawa. He also leaves a brother, Jerry (Josie) Jeffries of Ottawa; two sisters, Carole Woods and Charlene Jeffries of Ottawa; grandchildren, Jennifer, Stacy, Jason, Kayla, Jessica, Nick and Kelsi; and great-grandchildren, Cheyenne, Hannah, Conner, Cain and Trenton. He was preceded in death by four brothers, William, Jon, Clyde and James and one sister, Jeanne. Mr. Jeffries was a member of St. Mary's Church in Naplate, the Knights of Columbus, American Legion and Moose Lodge. He retired in 1983 from Libbey Owens Ford in Naplate. Richard proudly served in the U.S. Navy aboard the Battleship Missouri just prior to the Korean Conflict. Richard enjoyed gardening. Growing hot peppers was his passion. He also loved to travel as evidenced by his and Marlene's trips to Florida for the past 20 years. He spent many enjoyable hours camping and sitting by the campfire. He enjoyed the company of his faithful dog, Bella. Memorial contributions may be directed to the family.