Richard "Dick" Child

Richard “Dick” Child, 92, of Matherville, Illinois died Saturday, January 20, 2018 at Avonlea Cottage, Milan.

Funeral services are 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, Jan. 24th at First Lutheran Church, Sherrard with Rev. Nancy Jaster officiating.  Burial will be in Farlow Grove Cemetery, Matherville with graveside military rites by Mercer County V.F.W. Post 1571.  Serving as pallbearers are Jamie Child, Brad Child, Bryce Adolphson, Brock Adolphson, Ethan Adolpson and John Sloan.  Visitation is Tuesday, Jan. 23rd from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. at Dennison Funeral Home, Viola.  Memorials may be left for Sherrard First Lutheran Church or Charity of Choice.

Richard Paul was born June 10, 1925 in Matherville, Illinois a son of Paul and Mabel Miller Child.  Dick graduated as Valedictorian of the Sherrard High School Class of 1943.  He served with the Army Air Corps as a B-17 Tail Gunner during World War II.  His plane was shot down in Germany and he was taken as a P.O.W., he later escaped.  Dick was awarded a member of the Caterpillar Club, for the heroic act of parachuting out of the burning plane.  On October 16, 1949 he married Shirley M. Watne in Davenport.  Dick was the owner/operator of Child Motor Sales in Matherville.  From that business he served the Matherville and surrounding communities as a mechanic and self-employed plumber.  He was a member of the Sherrard First Lutheran Church and Mercer County V.F.W.  He was also a member of the 487th Bomb Group and looked forward to their reunions.  He was an avid tennis player and golfer.

Those left to cherish his memory are his wife:  Shirley Child, Matherville, IL; children:  Rick (Priscilla) Child, Milan, IL, David (Susie) Child, Matherville, IL and Karen (Mike) Adolphson, Aledo, IL; grandchildren:  Jamie Child, Heather Clark, Bryce Adolphson, Lindsey Adolphson King, Brock Adolphson, Sarah Souhrada and Brad Child and 14 great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents and siblings:  Vernon Child and Constance Finch.

Online condolences may be left www.dennisonfuneralhome.com.