L. Waldo Richie Jr., 78, of Springfield, IL passed away at Memorial Medical Center on December 13, 2020 in the company of his wife and daughters.

Waldo was born in Carlinville, IL on July 4, 1942 the son of Loren W. Sr. and Rachel (Qualls) Richie. He was raised in Palmyra and graduated from Northwest High School in 1960. He married Gloria McLean on July 1, 1965 in Carlinville.

He worked for the Illinois Department of Public Aid for 6 years. He drove semi-trucks for Bunn Capital before retiring. He is a veteran of the US Navy and a member of the Color Guard through his membership with ITAM Post 15. He also volunteered for more than 28 years as a member of the Red Coats at Memorial Hospital. During the winters, Waldo could be seen blowing snow for all his neighbors on Argonne Avenue, and in the summer he mowed their yards.

Waldo enjoyed spending his time fishing, and watching the Chicago Cubs and Bears play, as well as the Fighting Illini. He especially loved watching his granddaughters play softball. Waldo was a member of the St. John's Lutheran Church in Chatham since 1975 and was a member of their Dart Ball Team for many years.

In 2016, Waldo was not only able to go on the Land of Lincoln Honor Flight, but he was able to watch his Chicago Cubs win the World Series; these were some of his most precious memories.

He was awarded the Heart of Gold Award and Pay It Forward Award in 2017. He was known for his welcoming smile and his amazing hugs.

Waldo was preceded in death by his parents, as well as his brother, Wendell Richie.

He is survived by his wife, Gloria Richie; his daughters, Stephanie (Stanley) Estill and Tiffany (Dan) Wavering; granddaughters, Sami Estill, Jeni (Dalton) Brown, and Dani Wavering, a great granddaughter due in January; uncle, Gene Qualls; brother, Larry Richie; numerous nieces and nephews, and lots of cousins.

Cremation services will be accorded by Ellinger-Kunz and Park Funeral Home in Springfield, IL and Military Honors will be observed at Camp Butler National Cemetery where he will be laid to rest.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Land of Lincoln Honor Flight, 57 Country Place, Springfield, IL 62703) or the St. John's Lutheran Church, Post Office Box 377, 1225 North Main, Chatham, IL 62629.

For anyone asking what can I do, it's simple: wear a mask, social distance, stay home, quit saying it's a hoax or just the flu, and say a prayer for all those suffering.

#MaskUpForWaldo