Richard William Harms

Richard W. Harms, 88, of Hillsboro, IL passed away Saturday, September 12th, 2020 at his home after a short battle with liver cancer. He was born April 1st, 1932 in Streator, IL, the son of Henry A. and Helen (Schroll) Harms. The family moved to Farmersville, IL when Richard was a young child. He attended Studebaker Country School, Farmersville Grade School, and High School. The family later moved to Hillsboro in March 1952. Richard was drafted into the US Army in December 1952 and served as a Sergeant and tank commander with Company A 72nd tank battalion during the Korean War. Mr. Harms married Margaret Edwards June 1st, 1958 and she preceded him in death in 2014. He was the father of four children and grandfather to four grandchildren. Mr. Harms was a lifelong livestock and grain farmer. He worked at Eagle Picher smelter for several years, and was also a school bus driver for Hillsboro School District for 20 years. He was a member of Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, VFW Post #1306, and the Farm Bureau, all in Hillsboro. He enjoyed watching St Louis Cardinals ball games, and recalled skipping school as a teenager in 1946 to listen to games on the radio in a Farmersville tavern. Mr. Harms and his wife enjoyed square dancing and playing pinochle with friends when they were a young couple. In his later years, Mr. Harms enjoyed watching country music programs including Hee Haw on RFDTV.

Mr. Harms is survived by his four children: Karen Harms of Springfield, IL, David (wife Lori) Harms of Highland, IL, Conni Melton of Auburn, IL, and Scott Harms of Lee’s Summit, MO; four grandchildren: Shelby Melton of Sterling, IL, Shannon Melton of Redford, MI, Morgan Harms (fiancé Ryan Berger) of Cape Girardeau, MO, and Nicholas Harms of Edwardsville, IL; brother Henry E. Harms (wife Gerry) of Hillsboro, sister Ruth (husband Don) of Clarksville TX, and brother-in-law Elvis (wife Sharon) of Belvidere, IL. Along with his wife and parents, Mr. Harms was preceded in death by one son, Larry (at birth) and one brother, Daniel.

Visitation will be held Saturday, September 19th from 9 am to 11 am, prior to funeral services at 11 am at Bass Patton Dean Funeral Home in Hillsboro. Burial will be at Donnellson Cemetery with Military Rites by VFW Post #1306 and American Legion Post #425.

Memorials are suggested to PAWS CARE of Hillsboro or Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Hillsboro. 

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Richard William Harms, please visit our floral store.