Richard E. Newland

Richard E. Newland, 94, passed away on June 19, 2018 at Regency Care in Springfield following a courageous battle with Parkinson’s Disease.  He was surrounded by his loving family.

Dick was born in Mattoon, IL, the son of Harold and Helen Newland. He married his high school sweetheart, the former Carla Jeanne Hanner in Mattoon. They would have celebrated their 74th anniversary this August. He was a Roman Catholic and the oldest living member of the St. Jude congregation in Rochester. He instilled his faith in God in his children and taught by example his commitment to family. He had a big heart and a will to live a good life.  

After graduating from Mattoon Riddle High School, Dick enlisted in the US Navy and was based at Great Lakes Naval Station in Lake County Illinois until his honorable discharge in 1945. He began his professional career with Hayes Freight Line in Mattoon and was transferred to Springfield. He was then hired on with CIPS/Ameren Illinois in its early days of data processing and retired as manager of billing and information processing in 1986 after 33 years of service.  

Dick enjoyed raising hunting dogs and homing pigeons in his youth. He was an avid reader, not only for enjoyment but to educate himself on his interests such as gardening, woodworking and raising song birds. Always concerned for the disadvantaged, both he and Jeanne gave freely of their time to SIU’s Community Support Network and supported the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI).

Dick is survived by his beloved wife, Jeanne Newland and his 4 children, Patricia Buedel (Bud) Zionsville, IN; Carla Morgan (Denny, deceased), Newton, IL; Deb Harper (Glenn) and Don Newland, Springfield; his 3 grandchildren, James Morgan, Russ Morgan, Nicole Fornalik; 6 great-grandchildren, Hope, Chelsea, Drew, Bethany, Lily, Elsie; sister-in-law Wanda Speer; nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Charles Newland and son-in-law Dennis Morgan.

A private family service was held at Wilson Park Funeral home in Rochester with Father Brian Alford, Church of St Jude, officiating. Burial was in Rochester Cemetery.

The family thanks the excellent nursing staff of Memorial Hospice and Regency Care, Springfield, for their compassionate care.

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