- Date Of Birth: November 16, 1924
- Date Of Death: January 18, 2019
- State: Illinois
Richard Leon “Dick” Wethington, 94, of Centralia, passed away Friday, January 18, 2019 at Fireside Nursing Home and Rehabilitation of Centralia with his loving family by his side.
Richard was born on November 16, 1924 in Haynes Township, son of Everett V. Wethington and Pearl B. (Hinderer) Wethington. He married Helen Dickinson on July 3, 1948 in Centralia and she preceded him in death on December 28, 2016.
He is survived three children: Marsha Shepard of Oglesby, Rick Wethington and wife Debbie of Walnut Hill, and Linda Moore of Centralia; five grandchildren: Jennifer Heredia and husband Hugo of Spring Valley, Butch Shepard and wife Missy of Oglesby, Chris Wethington of Centralia, John Wethington and wife AshLee of Centralia and Nikki Moore of Rantoul; 10 great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, a son: Michael K. “Pickle” Wethington in May of 2018, a brother: Dean Wethington, and two sisters: Pauline Sanders and Mary Harvey.
In 1943 Richard joined the U.S. Navy during World War II. He served aboard the USS Hubbard and Richard was the last survivor of all his shipmates. Richard managed The Martin Oil Stations in Centralia and in Wright City, MO. He later became a storekeeper for Warren A. Murray Center where he retired after 23 years. He was a lifetime member of the Centralia Moose Lodge 1219 and a lifetime member of the Centralia American Legion Post 446.
Richard was a band parent, cub scout and boy scout leader, and a baseball coach. He loved camping, fishing, hunting, wood working, golf, and family gatherings. Richard’s biggest love was attending Centralia Orphan games with his best friend Sparky Meyer. They were such avid orphan fans, that they were even inducted into the Centralia Sports Hall of Fame.
