A funeral will be held Thursday, September 4, 2025 for 96-year-old Theodore F, ‘Richard’ Harnagel of Chester, Illinois, who passed away at 9:35 a.m., Sunday, August 31, 2025 at Independence Care Center, Perryville, Mo.
He was born December 14, 1928 in Wittenberg, Mo. to Otto and Ollie (nee Garris) Harnagel, who both preceded him in death.
He is survived by a sister: Joyce (Dale) McDonough of Bethalto, Ill.; a special friend: Kathy Briggs and her children of the state of Tennessee and many nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews.
He was also preceded in death by three sisters: Vivian Brueggeman, Margie Garris, and Pauline Click, four brothers: Arthur “Buck” Harnagel, Jack Harnagel, Jim Harnagel and William Harnagel in infancy, and a special niece: Donna Davis, who had been his caregiver.
He served in the United States Army during the Korean War from January 27, 1951 to February 4, 1953, when he was honorably discharged as a corporal. He earned the United Nations Service Medal and the Korean Service Medal. He served in the Army Reserve from February 5, 1953, until October 11, 1956.
Richard was also a member of the V.F.W. Post No. 3553 in Chester.
Richard retired from Chester Mental Health Center where he had worked as a security therapy aide.
He also had worked as a painter and cosmetologist.
Richard was a member of Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church in Sereno, Missouri.
He was a gifted gardener, cultivating a summer crop and beautiful flowers at his home overlooking the Mississippi River into his 90’s. He often shared produce, bulbs and seeds with friends and relatives.
He enjoyed traveling in his younger years with New Orleans being one of his favorite destinations. As he aged, he enjoyed tending to his plants and watching the river from his front porch. “Uncle Dick” loved eating out and spending time with his many loving nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be 10 a.m. to noon Thursday, September 4, 2025 at the Pechacek Funeral Homes, Chester, Illinois.
A funeral for 96-year-old Theodore F, ‘Richard’ Harnagel of Chester, Illinois, will be held at noon Thursday, September 4, 2025 at the Pechacek Funeral Homes of Chester, Illinois. Officiating:
Father Sebastian Ukoh.
Entombment will be in the Mount Hope Cemetery in Perryville, Mo.
Memorials may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project, or to the Poor Clare Monastery of Our Lady of Mercy, Belleville, Ill.