Richard Wallace Curry

August 4, 1934 - September 10, 2008

Mattoon-Richard Wallace Curry, age 74, of Mattoon, Illinois, passed away at 8:43 a.m., Tuesday, September 10, 2008, at Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Center.\r\n\r\nThe funeral service in his honor will begin at 1:00 p.m., Monday, September 15, 2008, at Mitchell-Jerdan Funeral Home, 1200 Wabash Avenue, Mattoon, Illinois, with Dr. John Calio officiating. Interment will be in Dodge Grove Cemetery. Visitation will be Sunday evening from 5:00 - 8:00 p.m. at the funeral home with Masonic rites at 4:45 p.m. \r\n\r\nMr. Curry was born August 4, 1934, in Mattoon Township, Illinois, the son of C. Myrvin and Hazel J. (Tate) Curry. He married the love of his life, Barbara Jean French, on December 20, 1953. She survives. Other survivors include their three children: Steven Richard Curry and special friend Jeanne Elliott of Mattoon, Illinois; Ronald William Curry and wife Nina of Mattoon, Illinois; and Randall Wayne Curry and special friend, Connie Rhodes of Mattoon, Illinois; two brothers: John William Curry and wife Edna of Galesburg, Illinois; and Edwin Kenneth Curry of Monticello, Indiana; a sister, Erma Elaine Biesinger and husband Wilfred of Springville, Utah; and two sisters-in-law: Peggy Curry of Gays, Illinois and Joyce Wilson of Floyd, Virginia. He leaves seven grandchildren: Jennifer Houser and her husband Travis; Michelle Saunders and her husband Brandon; Richard Neal Curry; Ronald Curry II and special friend Megan Kite; Patricia McMinn and husband Jonathon; Courtney Rhoads and husband Dustin; and Sarah Curry; and nine great-grandchildren: Briannae, Kristina, Trevor, Carin, Emma, Lexi, Charleigh, Ava, and Corban. He was preceded in death by his parents. \r\n\r\nRichard owned and operated Curry Farms. As the sixth generation of the Curry family to farm in this area, he was a hard working and committed steward of the land and proud to have inspired a seventh generation to carry on the Curry family farming tradition. \r\n\r\nMr. Curry was a member of the Mattoon Christian Church. Other memberships included the Masons Wabash Lodge 179 of Etna, Low 12 Club, Ansar Shrine of Springfield, Illinois, Scottish Rite of Danville, Illinois, IOOF Lodge 270 (50 year member), and the Coles County Farm Bureau. \r\n\r\nMemorials may be made to the St. John's Lutheran School, 200 Charleston Avenue, Mattoon, IL 61938. Please visit www.mitchell-jerdan.com to light a virtual candle or share a memory with the family.