Obituary of Richard Locher

Richard A. Locher, Jr. Age 64, a lifelong Joliet resident, passed away peacefully Saturday, October 3, 2015 at the Joliet Area Community Hospice Home. He was born December 12, 1950 in Joliet to the late Bertha (nee Griparis) and Richard A. Locher, Sr. A graduate with the class of 1968 at Joliet West High School, Rick also attended Concordia Teachers College. Survived by his wife, Melissa (nee Rush) Locher; daughter, Beth (Douglas) Kaiser; grandchildren, Brendan and Jenna Smith; brother, Tom Locher; three nephews, Gregory (Nicole), Nathaniel (Laurie) and Nicholas (Judy) Locher. Preceded in death by his parents and his beloved maltese "Lari". Rick retired from Local #150 after over 35 years of dedicated service as a crane operator. Music was his passion; at the age of 12 he began playing the organ at St. Peter Lutheran Church which led to playing at various other churches in the area. A member of the American Guild of Organists. Funeral services for Rick Locher will be held Wednesday, October 7, 2015 at Hope Lutheran Church, 305 E. Black Rd., Shorewood, IL where he will lie-in-state from 10:00 a.m. until services begin at 11:00 a.m. Interment Woodlawn Memorial Park. Visitation will be Tuesday, October 6, 2015 from 4-8 p.m. at the Fred C. Dames Funeral Home, 3200 Black Rd. (at Essington Rd.) Joliet, IL.