Richard "Rich" Henry William Woelber

Richard “Rich” Henry William Woelber, age 95 of Mattoon, IL passed away at Odd Fellow-Rebekah Home on Wednesday, February 25, 2026, which was also the birthday of his beloved mother. A funeral service in his honor will be held at 11:30 AM, Monday, March 2, 2026, at St. John’s Lutheran Church, 200 Charleston Avenue, Mattoon, IL 61938. Pastor Andrew Herzberg will officiate. A committal service will immediately follow at Beals Cemetery in Trilla, IL. Military Rites will be conducted by Mattoon VFW Post 4325. The visitation will be held from 9:30 AM until the time of service at the church. Rich was born on March 13, 1930, in Hull, IA to the late Martin Diedrich Friedrick and Alma Anna (Sohl) Woelber. He married Clara Marie Thompson on June 17, 1953, at Tyndall Air Force Base in Pensacola, FL; she survives and resides in Mattoon, IL. He is also survived by two children, Janet Woelber and significant other Kesha Neal of Pawnee, IL, Steve Woelber and wife Sandy of Mattoon, IL; two sisters, Donna M. Krahling of Sheldon, IA, Glenda Heidloff and husband Richard of George, IA; two grandchildren, Matt Woelber and wife Kassie of Charleston, IL, Kacey Rawlings and husband Hayden of Mattoon, IL; four great-grandchildren: Jaren Woelber, Gracie Wilson, Weldin Woelber, Avery Rawlings; a great-grandchild on the way, baby Nellie Rawlings; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by two brothers, Lloyd P. Woelber and Norman F. Woelber. Rich proudly served his country in the United States Air Force. A man of faith, he was a long-time member of St. John’s Lutheran Church, where he had been active since 1967. After many years of dedication, he retired from Farrier Construction in Mattoon, IL. Post-retirement he enjoyed working at City of Mattoon Yard Waste Facility. Since 1970, he was a member of the Laborers’ International Union of North America. He had a passion for dancing and was a member of the Mattoon Top Spinners Square Dance Club. As a dedicated card player, Rich found much joy in a friendly, yet competitive game of pinochle or cards, usually surrounded with friends and family, lots of laughter and cackling. He also loved the simplicity of sitting outside in his lawn chair, soaking in his surroundings, tinkering, tending to his lawn, and watching his surprise lilies bloom. Rich was a good man, a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and a faithful servant who will be deeply missed. Memorial donations in his honor may be made to the St. John’s Lutheran School Athletics. Please visit www.mitchell-jerdan.com or www.facebook.com/mitchelljerdanfuneralhome to light a virtual candle in his honor or share a memory with the family

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Richard "Rich" Henry William Woelber

March 13, 1930 - February 25, 2026