Mr. James Ricker “Rick” Dechow, 83, of Abingdon, Illinois died at 3:00 p.m. Tuesday, October 15, 2024, at OSF St. Mary Medical Center, Galesburg, Illinois.
He was born April 5, 1941, in Macomb, Illinois to Lorell Philip and Mariam (Black) Dechow. He married Susan Shelton on June 27, 1964, in Abingdon.
Surviving is his wife of 60 years, Susan Dechow of Abingdon, three sons, Douglas (and Anna Leahy) Dechow of Orange, California, Richard Dechow of Abingdon, and David Dechow of Abingdon, two daughters, Emily Dechow of Knoxville, Illinois and Suellen Dechow of Abingdon, a brother, John Philip “Phil” Dechow of Algonquin, Illinois, and nine grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Eleanor “Jean” Brown.
Rick graduated from Abingdon High School in 1959. He later graduated from Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois with a Bachelor’s degree in Automotive Technologies. He worked for Bixby-Zimmer in Galesburg for over 36 years and was the last person out of the door when the company closed. He then became the CEO of B.D.i. Screens, a company in Galesburg that he helped to found in 2004 with former colleagues from Bixby-Zimmer. He was the CEO until his illness in 2021. Rick was a member of the Abingdon First Congregational Church and was on the Lay Council for the Abingdon Community Churches for over 30 years. He was a very generous person by volunteering his time to Feed My Lambs Charity and donating over 10 gallons of blood to the Red Cross. Rick enjoyed staying up-to-date on his children’s and grandchildren’s lives, and he loved to travel with family. On his own or with family members as travelling companions, Rick had visited Australia, South Africa, Italy, France, Germany, England, and Scotland. His travels had also taken him through much of the United States, and he delighted in sharing stories about the places he had been with others.
Visitation will be 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 Noon Wednesday, October 23, 2024, at the Abingdon Christian Church. The funeral service will follow at 12:00 Noon at the church with Pastor Linda Mowrer officiating. Cremation will follow the funeral, and a private cremation committal service will be in Abingdon Cemetery at a later date. Memorials may be made to Feed My Lambs. Hinchliff-Pearson-West Funeral Directors and Cremation Service Abingdon Chapel is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be made at www.h-p-w.com.
