Richard Utter

Richard Lee Utter, age 57, of Cooperstown, Illinois and formerly of Camden, Illinois passed away at 1:20 p.m. Tuesday, March 6, 2018 at Barnes Jewish Hospital in St. Louis, Missouri.

He was born January 6, 1961 in Rushville, Illinois the son of Charles Richard, Jr. and Lucille Ilene Robinson Utter.  He married Katherine Hendricks on November 14, 1986 in the Cooperstown Christian Church and she survives.

Richard dedicated his life to serving his community.  He had served as Ambulance Director and ESDA Coordinator in Schuyler County for 30 years, retiring in 2016. 

Richard received the Illinois Rural Health Association Emergency Medical Services Professional of the Year in 2015. He was a member of the Illinois Medical Emergency Response Team (IMERT) and the Illinois Firefighters Association.  Richard was also an avid gardener who loved the outdoors and especially enjoyed taking his kids and grandkids camping.

Survivors include his wife Katherine Utter of Cooperstown, Illinois.  6 children Jessica Hendricks, Janice Hendricks, Jennifer Barfield (Johnny), John Utter (Amanda), Jeannine Utter and Julia Utter all of Cooperstown, Illinois.  2 brothers Robert Utter and Ronnie Utter both of Rushville, Illinois.  1 sister Rebecca Merrey of Rushville, Illinois.  9 grandchildren Logan, Jonathon, Dylan, Isabella, Kayla, Henry, Connor, Jace and Kayson.  His father-in-law and mother-in-law Charles Albert and Mary Janice Hendricks of Cooperstown, Illinois also survive along with several aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents and 3 brothers and 1 sister in infancy.

Per his request, cremation will be accorded and a memorial service will be held at 10:00 a.m. Monday, March 12, 2018 in the Hendricker Funeral Home in Mt. Sterling. 

Burial of the cremated remains will follow in the Cooperstown Cemetery.

Memorial visitation will be from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. Sunday evening in the funeral home.

Memorials are suggested to the Richard Utter Memorial Fund to benefit the Cooperstown Park Playground Equipment.

Condolences for the family may be left on line at www.hendrickerfuneralhome.com.   

Funeral arrangements are pending with the Hendricker Funeral Home in Mt. Sterling, Illinois.

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