Richard LeRoy Schmidt

Richard L. Schmidt, 79 of Aledo, died Tuesday, December 25, 2018 at his home. Memorial services will be Friday at 11:00 AM at Speer Funeral Home, Aledo, with Visitation one hour prior to services. Private burial will be at a later date in Viola Cemetery. Memorials may be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital or to the Churches of Mercer County Food Pantry.

Richard LeRoy was born on September 17, 1939 in McDonough County, Illinois to Clifford & Dorothy (Worthington) Schmidt. He married Carol Rutledge on March 28, 1959 in Ipava, Illinois.

Richard was employed with the John Deere Plow & Planter works from 1963 to 1992, when he retired. His "hobby", excavating, took him from northern Illinois all the way to Alabama.

Richard is survived by his wife, Carol; 2 sons and spouses: Keven & Sheri Schmidt of Aledo and Keith & Josh Schmidt of Savannah, GA; 2 grandsons: Tanner & Dalana Schmidt and Trevor Schmidt & Kelsie Holten; 4 great-grandchildren: Payton, Bennett, Braxten and Hannah; 9 siblings and spouses: Janice McDade, Sharon Carey, Gloria & Marty Rhodes, Gerald & Carol Schmidt and Galen Schmidt all of Bushnell; Donna & Bob Wisely of Bardolph; Roger & Lottie Schmidt of Gilson; Ron & Marty Schmidt of Colchester and Bob Schmidt of Aledo. He was preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Elizabeth, in infancy.