Obituary of John Walter Richards, Crawford County, Illinois Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives Copyright 2000 Cindy McCachern 12 Sept. 1913, Walbash Pearl Obituary of John Walter Richards Taps Sound For Another Veteran J. W. Richards Passed Away Sunday Morning Uncle John Richards after a long illness passed away Sunday morning at 6 o'clock, at the advanced age of 81. A short funeral service was conducted at the home at one o'clock Monday afternoon by Rev. J. M. Adams who preached a funeral sermon at the Wesley Chapel church, at 3 o'clock. The funeral was conducted by the G. A. R. Post of Palestine, and the body was laid to rest in the Wesley Chapel cemetery. John Walter Richards was born near Battletown, Va., Dec. 21, 1831 and died at his residence in Palestine, Ill., Sept. 7, 1913, age 81 years, 8 months, 16 days. He was the son of Harriet Malcom Richards and Gushum Richards. The family came to Illinois when he was three years old and moved to Montgomery Township, Crawford County, in the vicinity of Wesley Chapel where he spent the greater part of his life. About twenty years ago, he came to Palestine where he resided until his death. He was one of fourteen children all of whom have preceded him to the great beyond except one brother, Taylor Richards of Robinson. At the opening of the Civil War, he enlisted in the 98th Illinois Infantry which becmae a part of Wilder's Brigade. He was in several hard fought battles and was wounded at Chickamauga. At an early age he united with the M. E. Church at Wesley Chapel where he held his membership most of his life. About ten years ago he moved his membership to the Palestine M. E. Church where he remained faithful till his death. In disposition he was modest, quiet and unassuming. Above all things honest, he hated hypocrisy and sham and followed his moral convictions with religious fervor. He is survived by his wife Martha; two sons, Wm. A. of vincennes and Walter Ora, of Palestine; and one daughter, Lora May, at home. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- USGENWEB NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by other organizations or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb Archivist with proof of this consent. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Cindy McCachern