Richard Hall

Date of Birth

Jan 26,1942

Date of Death

Oct 24,2016

Richard “Chief” J. Hall, age 74, of Maple Park, IL, formerly of Elburn, passed away at his home peacefully, surrounded by the love and prayers of his family, Monday, October 24, 2016.

He was born January 26, 1942, in Aurora, IL, the son of Howard and Vera (Strom) Hall.

Rich grew up in Elburn and attended local schools. He graduated with the class of 1960 from Kaneland High School.

Following graduation, Rich drove truck for Siebert Brothers Trucking before hearing the call of his country. Rich enlisted into the United States Air Force and served four years before his honorable discharge. During that time, Rich married his sweetheart, Doris Wegener, who joined him in Wichita Falls, TX for the last two years of service. They welcomed home two children, Sandy and Steve. They growing family returned to Elburn in 1964. Rich had a job waiting for him at Bee Line Trucking Company for a time before driving for Knox Motor Freight. The family grew by one the following year when Rhonda was born and made the family complete in 1965. Too many memories to count were made in the house Doris made a home, but a change of scenery came in 2006 when Doris and Rich moved to their present home in Maple Park.

Rich loved his fellow man and supported his community with his time, heart and talent. He was a member of the Elburn Lions Club since 1987, and filled many roles. Not only was he a fixture at many events, he held many positions, including Treasurer, Board Director, Park Board Director and Park Board President. Rich was a Life Member who received Lions of Illinois Fellow, Melvin Jones Progressive Fellow Award and the George Lazansky Distinguished Service Award. Rich also protected his community through his service as a Elburn Police Officer for the Village of Elburn from 1970-1989 and was Chief of Police for all but two of his tenure. He put his life on the line again while serving as a volunteer fireman for the Elburn & Countryside Fire Protection District from 1966-1986. Rich was also one of the volunteers to run calls with Chuck Conley and Conley Ambulance. In 1985, Rich operated his own Elburn Radiator and Repair shop for many years, both during and after his tenure as a police officer. When he finally laid down his tools in 2004, Rich sold his business but jumped into the driver’s seat once again and hauled fertilizer for Hintzsche’s in both the spring and the fall. Weekends were spent on the Rock River with family and friends, but his family was his biggest “hobby”, and into which he dedicated all that he had. Declining health in recent years was the only thing that slowed Rich down. Reflecting back on all that he did and said, you realize how large of a shadow his life created, in the shade of which was always his family, friends and neighbors who will miss him dearly.

He is survived by his loving wife of 54 years, Doris Hall; Three children: Sandy (Mark) DeGrand, Steve (Pam) Hall and Rhonda (Ron) Flint; Seven grandchildren: Lynette (Nick) Piller, Amy (Carl) Schoger, Jennifer Flint, Kim (Mark) Hambly, Maggie DeGrand, Ken (Amanda Harmon) Hall and Kyle (Renee) Hall; Seven great-grandchildren: Hunter, Brayden and Kennedy Piller; Owen Thompson; Easton Hambly; Logan and Tanner Hall; One brother Jack Hall; many nieces and nephews and a large community who were lucky to call him a friend.

He is preceded by his parents, Howard and Vera Hall, one sister Geraldine Peterson and two grandchildren, Lauren and Richie DeGrand.

Visitation will be Thursday, October 27, 2016, from 4-8 p.m., at the Novak Center at St. Mary of the Assumption Catholic Church, 123 S. County Line Rd., Maple Park, IL. A wake service will precede the visitation and will begin at 3:45 p.m. A mass to celebrate his faith will be Friday, October 28, 2016, also at St. Mary of the Assumption Catholic Church, Maple Park, at 11 a.m., with a time of visitation from 10-10:45 a.m. Interment will follow at St. Mary’s Cemetery, Maple Park.

Rich’s last request was for there to be absolutely no flowers, rather, make contributions to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, to try and save the life of a child. Checks may be made to Richard J. Hall Memorial and mailed in care of P.O. Box 66 Elburn, IL 60119. Tributes and memories may also be forwarded to the family at the same address, through the Conley Funeral Home Facebook Page and www.conleycare.com where you can see his full life story.

A mass to celebrate his faith will be Friday, October 28, 2016, also at St. Mary of the Assumption Catholic Church, Maple Park, at 11 a.m., with a time of visitation from 10-10:45 a.m.

Visitation will be Thursday, October 27, 2016, from 4-8 p.m., at the Novak Center at St. Mary of the Assumption Catholic Church, 123 S. County Line Rd., Maple Park, IL. A wake service will precede the visitation and will begin at 3:45 p.m.

Interment will follow at St. Mary’s Cemetery, Maple Park.

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