Richard Monarch | | Date of Death: | January 12, 2012 | | Service Date/Time: | January 17, 2012 4:00 PM | | Service Location: | Harley Funeral Home | Services:
A gathering of family and friends will be held at Harley Funeral Home on Tuesday from 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. to share thoughts and memories of Richard. | Visitation:
| Obituary:
 Richard L. Monarch, of Greenwood, died Thursday, January 12, 2012 at Self Regional Medical Center.
Born in L’Anse, MI, he was a son of the late Ida (nee Rober) and John C. Monarch and stepson of the late Orin Nollinger. Richard was preceded in death by his brothers, Jesse, Carl, James, Gene and Alvin, and his sister, Lorraine.
Richard is survived by his wife of thirty years, Mary Anne (nee Zazula); two sons, Curtis L. Monarch,(Margaret) and John Cullen Monarch; three daughters, Cheryl Salaiz, (Oscar), Karol Creech, (David), and Connie McCarthy, (Pete, deceased); four wonderful grandchildren and three beautiful great grandchildren.
Richard was a hard worker, whether he milked cows on his family’s farm, set bowling pins or sold newspapers on the corner. As a Purple Heart Veteran, he served his country in the US Army for seven years and fought in the Korean Conflict. He received his BS degree in Industrial Engineering and an MBA. He managed factories and negotiated contracts for ITT – Bell & Gossett.
He was the original “most interesting man in the world.” Richard was a loyal fan of the Detroit Tigers, Detroit Lions and the Chicago Cubs. If you ever met him, you would not forget him and, if you were his friend, he would give you the shirt off of his back. He possessed a strong personality, was gregarious, vibrant and never subtle. He loved and was proud of each and every one of his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Richard was a man who loved life, his wife, his family, Frank Sinatra, Bobby Darrin and a good brandy Manhattan.
It is requested that flowers be omitted and memorials made to the charity of your choice.
|
Condolences | | Post Condolence | | Margie Parise, Illinois | | One of the biggest thrills of my life was to be reunited with you Mary after 40 years. And you have become such a dear friend to me. Though I never met Dick, I feel like I knew him through you. You took such good good care of him during the last year of his life, always thinking of his needs and cares before your own. I am sure that Dick appreciated all the wonderful things that you did for him. What a loving wife you are. You gave Dick many more months of life. Take good care of yourself dear Mary and your son, John, as well. Fondly look back at the many wonderful memories you have with Dick and that will bring joy to your heart once more. Sending love and many hugs | | | | Michele R Montalbno, Illinois | | Dear Mary and John,
I am so sorry to hear about Dick. As I said to you earlier... don't think of him as gone but just around to corner. He will always be with you... in your heart. You were blessed to have been married for thirty years, creating wonderful memories along the way. Dick will be waiting for you and when that time comes you will be together for eternity. I only spoke with him once on the phone but that was all it took to see that he was a man with a wonderful sense of humor. I am glad I had that opportunity. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. | | | | Sue Miller Anderson, Illinois | | Dear Mary and family,
So sorry to hear of Dick's passing.Our prayers are with you. | | | | DEB BOYER (MONARCH, Michigan | | MY DEEPEST SYMPATHY & PRAYERS TO FAMILY & FRIENDS! I HAVE THOUGHT OF HIM OFTEN OVER THE LAST YEAR & ALWAYS SAID I WANTED TO COME VISIT & NEVER DID, THIS BRINGS TO MIND THAT LIFE IS TO SHORT, BUT I KNOW THAT WE WILL HAVE ETERNAL LIFE TO SHARE MANY MEMORIES!
LORD I COME TO YOU TODAY TO ASK OF PRAYERS, LOVE, STRENGTH FOR THOSE WHO HAVE LOSS, PLEASE LORD AS WE REMEMBER & CELEBRATE THE NEW ETERNAL LIFE THAT WE WILL BE AT PEACE AFTER REMORSE KNOWING THE HAPPINESS THEY NOW HAVE WITH YOU. THANK YOU FOR THE LIFE WE HAVE SHARED & I AM VERY MUCH LOOKING FORWARD TO 1 DAY SOON REUNITING IN THE PERFECT LIFE WE WILL SHARE. IN THE LORD JESUS NAME, AMEN!!
I LOVE YOU UNCLE DICK!!THIS IS NOT GOODBY BUT I WILL SEE YOU SOON!! | | | | Mary Kay and Ron Paja, Indiana | | Mary, I am SO sorry to learn of your husband's death. From reading his obituary I see that he was a very special man. How lucky you both were to have each other for 30 years! I hope your many wonderful memories will provide you comfort as you experience the painful emotions of grief.
As we talked at the reunion, Ron and I plan to travel to the Carolinas at some point and when we do I will be sure to contact you so we can try to get together. Only wish we could have had the opportunity to meet Richard at that time. Please keep in touch and feel free to call if you ever have the need to just talk.
I will pray for you and your son that God will hold you close during these difficult days and that He will give you both peace and hope in the weeks and months ahead.
Fondly, Mary Kay | | | | Arthur and Suki Bochenek, Georgia | | We extend our deepest sympathy to Mary, John and Richard's family on their loss of a loving, caring husband and father. Richard was truly a one of a kind person; outgoing, fun loving, generous and genuine. The kind of a friend that you encounter once in a lifetime. I had the privilege and pleasure of knowing Richard for nearly 50 years both as a colleague and dear friend. Although we had our differences from time to time we supported each other 100 percent in our respective resposibilities and personal lives. After hours at the office we would adjourn to The Morton House, Villa Tuscana or Studio for a "summit" meeting and close bonding with co-workers. Richard enjoyed being with family and friends and will be deeply missed by everyone; especially Mary, John and his family. We pray that the many years of wonderful memories give you all the strength to endure this difficult time. | | | | Maggie Farney, Illinois | | Dear Mary and John, I am so sorry to hear of Dick's passing. The world has lost one of its truly unique individuals. His loyalty was unrivaled and his sense of humor unbounded. He was playful and loved to tease, but it was all in fun. If you were his victim, it was a sign that he liked you. He was one of the first persons that I met when I started at B&G in 1974, and he probably made the most lasting impression on me of anyone that I worked with over the 35 years that I was there. Many times we butted heads, but we always stayed friends. I always looked forward to seeing you both Mary when you came back to Chicago, and I have missed seeing you these last few years. I hope that you will find peace in knowing that Dick was loved by so many, as well as by God, and that you will be with him again someday. | | | | Patrick Foy, Illinois | | Last week change came to us all, as we learned of Dick's passing. Dick was a unique individual and upon meeting him, you couldn't help but like him. He was, as some have said, a larger than life personality... but he made you feel important. Dick tried to project sterness, but he had a heart of gold and always acted in the best interest of his people and his company.
I had the pleasure... and challenge... of working with Dick for the major portion of my ITT career. He was a founding member of our ITT poker group... and known for his LONG deliberations over a dime bet. A similar trait was part of his golf game. Sometime after he retired I helped him pack the truck, as he, Mary, John &'Clancy' moved to South Carolina. At the time I was afraid that he & Mary would fade from my life. Fortunately, Jeanie purchased property near Asheville, NC, so we were able to stay in touch and get together several times over the past years.
Dick has been a significant and positive part of my life and I will miss him, his supurb sense of humor and his measured insight into life and it's mysteries. When Dick held court at the Morton House or the Studio, you were in for an interesting evering. He is a man that I was proud to call my friend for almost 35 years.
Mary & John, words cannot express the loss that I know you are feeling over Dick's passing. It will be difficult to know that his voice and family guidance has fallen quiet.
Please know that you remain a part of Jeanie's and my heart.
| | | | Denise & Lynn Sommerlot, Illinois | | Dear Mary and John,
I just heard of "Mr. Monarch's" passing (as I knew him through my Dad and they were such good friends for so many years). We wanted to send our sincere condolences to you and your family. I have many memories of both of you over the years and hope your memories help you through this very difficult time. Please call or email me if you would like to chat. It would be nice to catch up with you again. | | | | Phyllis & Liana Pavese, Illinois | | Mary & John, our hearts are with you at this difficult time, how much we will all miss him. After more than 30 years, I'll certainly miss Dick's booming voice saying "Hi, Phyl!" It was obvious he adored both of you and his care and protectiveness extended to me and Liana too. He was a great friend and we loved him. We will be with you in spirit tonight. All our love, Auntie Phyl & Liana | | | | Kevin J Monahan, Illinois | | Kevin & Becky Monahan – Sleepy Hollow, Illinois
Dear Mary, John and Monarch Family – please accept our heartfelt sympathy on the loss of Dick. Both my wife Becky and I have found memories of him in the early part of my working career at ITT Bell & Gossett during the ‘70’s and ‘80’s. I will always be indebted to him for hiring me to my first real job out of college. Though I only worked with Dick for a little over 10 years the memories will last a life time from “Family Days at B&G”, Golf League, Old Timers 16” Baseball Game, Veterans Day luncheon in the mid ‘80’s, after work gatherings at various establishments in Morton Grove and on and on. Dick’s office door was always open to me if we needed to talk about work issues at B&G. After I departed B&G and moved on in my professional career I did try to keep in contact with Dick via postcards from the many countries in the world I was working in. He was a mentor to me and great friend to know and will be missed. Even though I had lost contact with him after he retired and moved to South Carolina, he was one of the first people to call me and check on my condition after I had heart surgery a couple of years ago. This is the type of person I remember, thoughtful, caring and a friend for life. Rest in Peace my friend !!!!
| | | | Juli A. Campbell(Mass), Arizona | | Dear Mary and family, Though i didn't make the reunion, i feel re-connected to all through the magic of computers. i was soo sorry to hear of your loss and pray you find peace in memories and knowing you have another angel watching over you and yours. God Bless. | | | | Harriett Kinard Davis, South Carolina | | Mary-I was so sorry to hear of your husband's passing. Having experienced this myself, I know how painful it is. I send my sincerest condolences at this difficult time. | | | | Chris Marrone Shields, Oregon | | Mary,
I was so sorry to hear of your husband's death. You and your family have my sincere condolences. My prayers are with you all. May god bring you comfort as you transition to a life without Richard. | | |
|
|
