Harold Ivan Richards

Harold was born on December 2, 1924 to Fayette (Fay) and Pearle (Johnson) Richards. Harold was united in marriage to Lois R. Tragordh on November 14, 1948 at First Lutheran Church in Princeton, Illinois.

 He is survived by three daughters: Nancy (Mike) Jordahl of Colorado Springs, CO, Mary (Scott) Wallis of Princeton, IL, and Julie (Don) Waldrop of Mosinee, WI. One granddaughter, Amber Simpson, and seven grandsons, Nicholas Herzel, Daniel Jordahl, Timothy Jordahl, Peter Jordahl, Andrew Wallis, Jason Wallis, and Matthew Waldrop. Eight great-grandchildren: Riley Herzel, Annalise Herzel, Colton Herzel, Lucy Jordahl, Abigail Jordahl, Eleanor Jordahl, Adeline Jordahl, and Lucas Simpson.

He was preceded in death by his wife Lois in 2012 and his oldest daughter Judy Herzel in 1988.

Harold was a member of First Lutheran Church of Princeton where he served on the church council and was a choir member. He served in the Navy Reserve. He was a member of the Bureau County Farm Bureau. He was a member of the Red Covered Bridge Amateur Radio Club as a ham radio operator with the call letters WA9WBY. He was a member of the Bureau County Extension Council, served on the Wyanet High School Board for 10 years and was President during that time. He was a member of the Bureau County Pork Producers. He attended Bureau Township School and graduated from Dana High School. He attended University of Illinois before returning home to farm with his father. He enjoyed doing research into genealogy on his father’s side, discovering quite a bit of his ancestry. Annual Johnson Family reunions were always a highlight for him, seeing his cousins and their families. He attended his last reunion in August of this year. He began farming as a child with his father and continued farming with his wife Lois at his side until his retirement. In his retirement he enjoyed wood carving and scroll saw work as well as tending to his yard and roses. Once the last hogs were sold, he and Lois enjoyed traveling in their motorhome. They spent winters in Donna, Texas for over 20 years, enjoying the warm weather and meeting new friends as well as seeing old friends there.

His family was his pride and joy and he loved spending time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. His faith in Jesus was evident in his life and home. It was not unusual to go visit him and find his Bible and several devotional books open.

Memorial Visitation will be 11:00am until time of service at 1:00pm on Saturday, November 4, 2023 at First Lutheran Church of Princeton, 116 North Pleasant Street Princeton, IL 61356 with Pastor William Shields, officiating. Burial of cremated remains will follow at Oakland Cemetery in Princeton.

Memorials may be directed to First Lutheran Church Youth Fund or Navigators.

Online condolences may be left at www.grant-johnsonfh.com.