Richard M. Lavery, 94, of University Park, Florida, died on Friday, August 23, 2019, at Sarasota Memorial Hospital.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:30 am, Friday, August 30 at St. Columba Church, with Rev. Gary Caster and Rev. Bruno Byomuhangi con-celebrating. His visitation will be held from 10:30 to 11:30 am, prior to services, at the church. He will be buried in Oakwood Memorial Park with military honors.
Richard was born on February 17, 1925, in Marseilles to John and Mary Elizabeth (Lavery) Lavery.
Richard was a 1943 graduate of Marseilles High School. He later graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Illinois and with an MBA from Northern Illinois University. He was a member of the Armed Services, having served in the U. S. Army from 1944 to 1946. His entire career was spent working for the federal government, most notably as an investigator for the United States Department of Agriculture. He was a proud Roman Catholic, and enjoyed theological research and discussion. He reveled in playing the game of golf.
He is survived by his sister, Margaret M. Lavery, of Ottawa, Illinois, and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Patrick L. Lavery, and his uncle John J. Lavery.
Pallbearers will be Nelson Nussbaum, Dick Gerding, Kevin Steward, Rich Meyers, Tony Morgan, and Wally Briepohl.
Richard was laid to rest in the Shrine of Rest in the Sanctuary of Peace.