- Date Of Birth: July 30, 1933
- Date Of Death: March 23, 2017
- State: Illinois
Richard “Red” Benvenutti, 83, of Peru, passed away Thursday, March 23, 2017, at OSF Richard L. Owens Hospice Home in Peoria after an extended illness. Richard was born July 30, 1933 in Dalzell to Italo and Ethel (Ruppert) Benvenutti.
He married Janet Soeder on August 19, 1961, at St. Mary’s Church in Peru. He served in the U.S. Air Force from 1953 to 1957. Richard graduated from Northern Illinois University with a Bachelor’s degree in Education and Bradley University with a Master’s degree in Counseling. Richard taught science at Peru Washington Junior High and was later employed by LaSalle-Peru High School as a guidance counselor. He retired from L-P in 1994. He was a member of St. Mary’s Church in Peru. Richard loved traveling with his family, especially to Las Vegas, Walt Disney World and anywhere a cruise ship would take him. He created beautiful pieces of stained glass that he often gave away as gifts. Richard adored his two granddaughters and sat through many musicals and basketball games. He was their biggest fan.
He is survived by his wife, Janet; two daughters, Becky Batty and Beth Benvenutti, both of Peru; two granddaughters, Marie Batty of St. Louis, MO, and Michelle Batty of Rochelle and one sister, Elaine Elzer of Ottawa.
He was preceded in death by his parents; one brother, William Benvenutti, and one sister, Dolores Schneider.
