Richard T. Bemis

Richard T. Bemis, 90 of Aledo, died Saturday, September 12, 2026, at Mercer Manor, Aledo, Illinois. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, September 23, 2026, at 12:00 PM at Speer Funeral Home, Aledo, with visitation from 10:00 AM -12:00 PM. Private burial will be in Aledo Cemetery. Memorials may be made to Churches of Mercer County Food Pantry.

Services will be livestreamed o  the Speer Funeral Home, Aledo Illinois Facebook page. 

Richard Thayer Bemis was born on January 17, 1936, in Beloit, Wisconsin to Reginald & Jane (Thayer) Bemis. He was raised and educated in Peru until he was 17 years old. Richard completed his high school education at Roosevelt Military Academy. Richard and the former Norma Landis were married on August 4, 1957, at the Sunbeam United Presbyterian Church. She preceded him in death on April 15, 2024, after 66 years of marriage.

Richard farmed and raised his three daughters north of Seaton. He also worked with the Mercer County Soil & Water Conservation District. Richard was a dedicated member of the Sunbeam United Presbyterian Church. He often shared his story of life in Peru with churches, schools and community members. Through farming Richard amassed a large collection of arrowheads. After moving to Brookstone, Richard turned his arrowhead collection over to the Indian Community School in Franklin, Wisconsin to support hands on learning for the current generation of Native Americans.

Those left to cherish Richard’s memory include his daughters and sons-in-law: Jane Bemis, Jean & Kurt Kozma and Georgia & Mike Vogt; grandchildren: Hannah Vogt and Erik & Kareena Vogt, and great-grandchildren Layton, Peter and Annalia. Also surviving are a sister, Barbara (Ruth Robarge) Bemis, Duane Hansen and step-brother, Jim (Sherry) Bemis. Richard was preceded in death by his parents, wife, Norma and brother, Mike Bemis.