Richard Brutcher Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

ABINGDON — Richard Lee Brutcher of Abingdon, formerly of Princeton, passed away Thursday, July 21, 2016, at his home due to natural causes. Richard was born April 2, 1951, in Princeton to Robert and Mary Christine (Bickett) Brutcher. He was a 1969 graduate of Princeton High School. He received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Illinois and his master’s degree from Northern Illinois. Richard obtained his post graduate hours from the University of Iowa, Western Illinois, Northern Illinois University and Illinois State University. He was a retired principal of Abingdon High School and recently retired from Carl Sandburg Junior College where he taught GED courses. During his education career he taught at Iroquois West High School in Gilman, and was a math instructor at Antioch High School and Orion High School. Richard was the assistant principal and athletic director at Dakota Senior and Junior High School. He was also a coach of girls track and basketball. He belonged to the Abingdon Kiwanis Club and the Public School Foundation. Richard was an avid U of I fan, he attended many bowl games. He enjoyed antiquing, writing stories, poetry, movies and reading. Richard is survived by five brothers, Frank of Princeton, Robert of Princeton, Bruce (Sandy) of Rantoul, Brian (Bonnie) of Santa Ana, Calif., and David (Enid) of Altamonte Springs, Fla.; two sisters, Marianna (Kelly) Barkley of Princeton and Janet (Rob) Huffstodt of Valparaiso, Ind.; 10 nephews, Quinton Barkley, Austin (Natasha), Adam and Alex Huffstodt, Brett, Shane, Cory, Nathan and Aaron Brutcher, and Victor Hernandez; three nieces, Kari (Jon) Colvin, Louren Chen and Katherine Hernandez; three great-nieces, Raelyn and Ella Colvin, and Macy Barkley; one great-nephew, A.J. Huffstodt; four aunts, Dorothy (Charles) Smith, Phyllis Bickett, Norma Bickett and Joyce Bickett, all of Princeton; and numerous cousins and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; his maternal and paternal grandparents; and aunts and uncles. Cremation was accorded with the Watson Thomas Funeral Home in Galesburg. A celebration of life services will take place at 11 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 20, in the Sommers Chapel in Oakland Cemetery in Princeton. The family will receive friends at 10 a.m. Inurnment will immediately follow the service. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the family for distribution to the Kiwanis Club in Abingdon. The Norberg Memorial Home is professionally assisting the family. Online condolences may be left at norbergfh.com.

Richard Brutcher

April 2, 1951 - July 21, 2016