Richard J. Emken

Richard “Dick” J. Emken, age 84, died at 11:15 P.M. on Thursday, December 28, 2017 at the Knox County Nursing Home in Knoxville, Illinois. Dick was born on February 26, 1933 in Salem Twp., Knox County, Illinois, the son of Phillip and Pearl (Stewart) Emken. He married Shirley I. Archdale on May 8, 1954 in Galesburg, Illinois. Survivng is his wife, Shirley of Galesburg, Illinois; three daughters: Pamela (Richard) Inness of Galesburg, Illinois, Michele (Steve) Johnson of Acworth, Georgia, and Elaine (Ron) Thomas of Galesburg, Illinois; seven grandchildren: Amy (Brett) Wright, Nick (Britney) German, Haley (Jeff) Brauninger; Seth (Kristen) Johnson, Andy (Lindsey) Mathews, Lacey (Ry) Colwell, and Dusty Thomas; and ten great-grandchildren. Also surviving is a sister, Betty (Russell) Watkins of Elmwood, Illinois; and a brother, David (Claudia) Emken of Yates City, Illinois. He was preceded in death by his parents; and two sisters: Dorothy LeMasters and Irene Morse. He served in the United States Army. He farmed all his life in Maquon Twp., Knox County, Illinois. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, woodworking, and spending time with his grandchildren. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, January 2, 2018 from 4:00 P.M. to 6:00 P.M. at the Hurd-Hendricks Funeral Home & Crematory in Knoxville, Illinois. Memorial Services will be held on Tuesday, January 2, 2018 at 6:00 P.M. at the Hurd-Hendricks Funeral Home & Crematory in Knoxville, Illinois, Rev. Norman Mendell officiating. Inurnment will be at the Fairview Cemetery in Fairview, Illinois at a later date. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to Hospice Compassus or Friends of the Knox County Nursing Home. Online condolences and expressions of sympathy may be left at www.hurd-hendricksfuneralhome.com To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Richard J. Emken please visit our Sympathy Store.