Richard Tomsovic

EAST PEORIA – Richard F. Tomsovic, 73, of East Peoria, Ill., passed away after a long battle with cancer on Wednesday, March 16, 2022, at Richard L. Owens Hospice Home in Peoria.

He was born on August 7, 1948, in Peoria, to Frank and Adelle (Brotski) Tomsovic. He married Susan McDaniel on June 14, 1969, in Rockford, Ill.

Richard is survived by his wife of 52 years; son, Brian (Holly) of New Braunfels, Texas; daughter, Christine (Chad) Kleine of Peoria; and one sister, Mary Lou Coxon of Hernando, Fla. Also surviving are his pride-and-joy, seven grandchildren, Emily, Andrew, Daniel and Will Tomsovic and Caitlyn, Cameron and Charlie Kleine; six nieces, Marsha (Dan) Tigue, Patricia (Charlie) Martin, Janie (Bob) Doran, Nicki (Ron) South, Carol Falvey (Frank Colitz) and Lauren Larson; four nephews, Steve (Margaret) Tomsovic, Mark (Jennifer) Tomsovic, David (Diane) Tomsovic and James Coxon.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Donald and sister-in-law, Bobbye; and brother-in-law, Ray Coxon.  

Richard earned his Eagle Scout badge and loved the outdoors. He looked forward to his herpetology presentations at Wildlife Prairie Park and thoroughly enjoyed his volunteer services at OSF Hospital.

He served in the Army’s field artillery unit in Vietnam in 1970-71 and worked at Caterpillar for 38 years, most recently in Morton’s IT Department.

Richard was a member of Sacre Coeur Church until it closed in 2014 and at Blessed Sacrament Church in Morton since then.

Cremation rites have been accorded. Visitation will be at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church in Morton on Saturday, March 19, 2022, from 9 to 10:15 a.m. followed by a Funeral Mass at 10:30 a.m. with Msgr. Jerry Ward officiating. Inurnment will be at Resurrection Mausoleum in Peoria at a later date.

If you choose to make a donation, you might consider the Richard L. Owens Hospice Home, Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church or the Illinois Cancer Center.

Knapp-Johnson Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Morton is handling arrangements.

To leave an online condolence for the family, visit www.knappjohnson.com.