Obituary of Loretta Richards

Loretta J. Klawonn Richards, 79, of Naples, FL, formerly of Zion, IL, went to be with her Lord on Friday, December 13, 2013, at her home. She was born on April 7, 1934 in Zion and was a long-time resident. On July 18, 1952 she married John LeRoy Richards and together they were blessed with 61 years of married life. She was a member of Christ Community Church of Zion and more recently Marco Island Presbyterian Church. She was a graduate of the Zion Conservatory of Music and an accomplished organist and pianist. Wherever she lived she served the Lord where needed, whether it be as the choir director, Sunday School Teacher, Passion Play Organist, Women's Ministry President, or Nursery Coordinator. She and her husband also participated on many mission projects with SOWERs, "Servants on Wheels Ever Ready". Loretta lived her life dedicated to the Lord and showed that through her music, family, and friends. She worked on the family farm both in Illinois and in Missouri and later became a legal secretary in Zion and Waukegan retiring in 1996. She is survived by her husband of 61 years, John LeRoy Richards; children, Brenda (Mike) Barnes of Sarasota, FL, Donna (Rich) Wedekind of Marietta, GA, John (Maureen) Richards of Plantation, FL, Christine (Curt) Peters of Winthrop Harbor, IL, Karen (Tim) Capp of Oviedo, FL, and Keith (Melissa) Richards of Round Lake Heights, IL; 14 grandchildren, Wendy, Bobby, Greg, Heather, Leigh Anne, David, Kristin, Marissa, Matthew, Katie, Brian, Alexis, Hailey, and Arianna; 14 great-grandchildren; and one brother, Carl (Dottie) Klawonn of Pleasant Prairie, WI. She was preceded in death by four siblings, Robert Klawonn, Elizabeth Maynard, Florence Spohr, and Byrdine Storey; and her parents, Leonard and Beulah Klawonn. Visitation will be Saturday, December 21, 2013, from 9:00 until 10:30 a.m. at Christ Community Church, 2500 Dowie Memorial Drive, Zion. A funeral service will follow at 10:30 a.m. at Christ Community Church with Pastor Ken Langley officiating. Entombment will follow at Mt. Olivet Memorial Park, Zion. There will also be a Memorial Service in Marco Island, FL at Marco Island Presbyterian Church, 875 West Elkcam Circle, Marco Island, FL on Saturday, January 4, 2014 at 2:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial donation to Camp Zion, www.campzion.com or the mission field of your choice.