Richard Hermes

Richard Joseph Hermes

Age 82 of Wilmington passed away Wednesday morning, January 27, 2016 at Presence Saint Mary’s Medical Center in Kankakee.

Born August 5, 1933 in Joliet, Richard Joseph was a son of the late Joseph and Evelyn (Klover) Hermes. A Veteran of the United States Navy, Dick earned the Korean Service Medal, United Nations Service Medal and the National Defense Service Medal. On November 27, 1954, he married Marie Offerman at Saint John’s in Joliet, and together they raised their family in Wilmington. Dick worked for Caterpillar Tractor Company in Joliet, where he retired from after 33 years of service. He was a member of Saint Rose Catholic Church in Wilmington, WIlmington VFW, Wilmington American Legion, and the Knights of Columbus, Fr. George Kuzma Council. In his spare time Dick enjoyed playing cards, fishing and traveling.

Survivors include five children: Joe (Connie) Hermes and Dan (Laurie) Hermes, both of Wilmington, Rick (Colleen) Hermes of Goose Lake, Mary Kay (Larry) Cunnings of Kissimmee, Florida and Carol (Bill) Harding of Merritt Island, Florida; eleven grandchildren: Michael (Jillian) Hermes, Scott (Karyn) Hermes, Matt (Kim) Hermes, Beth (Scot) Hager, Chris (Amanda) Cunnings, Lauren (Brian) Deter, Casey Hermes, Barry Cunnings, Erin Harding, Katie Hermes (Fiance' Ray), Garrick Harding; seven great grandchildren; one brother and two sisters: Patricia (Keith) Neville of Bourbonnais, Larry (Pat) Hermes of Sun City, Arizona and Kathy (the late Don) Keeley of Appleton, Wisconsin; one brother-in-law: Gene Williams, and one sister-in-law: Jackie Offerman, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

Dick was preceded in death by his parents; wife Marie, and grandson Eric Cunnings.

Cremation rites have been accorded, and a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, January 29, 2016 at 9:00 a.m. in St. Rose Catholic Church, 604 South Kankakee Street, in Wilmington. Reverend Steve Bondi will officiate, and Inurnment will immediately follow in Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery at 10:30 a.m.. The family will receive friends at a memorial luncheon in St. Rose School following the cemetery services.

Preferred memorials may be made as gifts in Dick’s memory to Kuzma Care Cottage.

Family and friends may sign the guestbook, share photographs or view Dick’s memorial page by logging onto: www.BaskervilleFuneral.com

Cremation arrangements and memorial services have been made under the direction and care of Baskerville Funeral Home in Wilmington. (815/476-2181)