Individual Details

Death

Richard A. Morris, 82, of Erie, Illinois, died Thursday, March 22, 2018 at the University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics, Iowa City. A Memorial Service will be held at 3:00pm Sunday, March 25, 2018 at the First Baptist Church, Morrison. Memorials may be made to the First Baptist Church in Morrison for an LED projector. Richard was born November 11, 1935 in Monmouth, Illinois, the son of Howard and Alice (Furr) Morris. He graduated from Galesburg High School in 1954 and attended Western Illinois University, receiving his Bachelor’s Degree in Music. He married Margaret A. Gray on June 14, 1959 at the Christian Church in St. Augustine, IL. Richard taught music for eight years after college, and then went to work for Kone Elevator, retiring in 1998 as a Shipping Specialist. Richard sang in the Rock River Valley Barbershop Chorus and River Chor Choir. He also played in and was Vice President of the River City Municipal Band in Clinton. He was an active member of Erie Baptist Church as a deacon, men’s Sunday School teacher, and was the Music Director at Erie and Morrison Baptist Churches. Richard enjoyed playing golf and was a member of Prophet Hills Country Club in Prophetstown. He is survived by his wife, Margaret; children, Laura Vandermyde, Sterling, Jeffrey (Brenda) Morris, Rockford, Sarah (Edward) Stuepfert, LaMoille; sister, Mary Lester, Princeton, IL; grandchildren, James Douglas (Sara) Vandermyde, Cookeville, TN, Alene Vandermyde, Davenport, Derek Morris, Rockford, Clay Stuepfert, LaMoille; and great-granddaughter, Ana Sophia Vandermyde. He was preceded in death by both parents; sister, Emma Jean Breiner, and son, Anthony Kelly Morris in infancy.