Cornelius J. "Dick" Richter, 82, of Aviston, died Saturday, January 28, 2012 at his residence surrounded by his family. He was born October 28, 1929 in Aviston, son of Henry and Cecelia (Huene) Richter. He married Betty J. Rehkemper on May 21, 1957 in St. Rose and she survives in Aviston.

In addition to his wife he is survived by six children, Deb (friend Tim Shasserre) Henrichs of Belleville, Allen (Barb) Richter of Aviston, Joyce (Jeff) Burns of Belmont, NC, Sheila (Mark) Collom of Galesville, WI, Susan (Kevin) Bridges of Aviston, and Neal (Sandy) Richter of Aviston; 17 grandchildren, Adam, Ryan, and Sarah Henrichs, Jason (Nicole), David, Jennifer and Christopher Richter, J.J. and Tom Burns, Matt, Luke, and Emily Collom, Megan and Alex Bridges, and Miranda, Madison and Garrett Richter; one great-granddaughter, Claire Richter; four brothers, Stanley "Butch" (Pauline) Richter of Aviston, Jim (Dolores) Richter of St. Rose, Don (Ruth) Richter of Highland, and Tom (Marge) Richter of Aviston; two sisters, Joanne (Jerome) Rehkemper of St. Rose and Dolores Sharp of Clay City; sisters-in-law and brother-in-law, Janet & Don Huelsmann, Darlene Rehkemper and Monica Rehkemper all of Highland.

He was preceded in death by his parents; four brothers-in-law, Clarence Schrage, Ray Dean Sharp, Rich Rehkemper and Dave Rehkemper; a sister-in-law, Mary Richter; and his father-in-law and mother-in-law, August and Bernetta Rehkemper.

Mr. Richter was an auto mechanic and retired from ABJ Ford in Trenton. He was a veteran of the United States Army and served during the Korean Conflict in Germany and was a member of St. Francis Parish in Aviston, the Aviston American Legion Post 1239, and the Trenton Sportsman’s Club.

Funeral Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, February 1, 2012 at St. Francis Catholic Church in Aviston with Rev. Gene Neff and Deacon Charlie Litteken officiating. Burial with full military honors will follow at St. Francis Cemetery in Aviston.

Friends may call from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m. Tuesday, January 31, 2012 and from 8 a.m. until 9:30 a.m. Wednesday, February 1, 2012 at Hempen Funeral Home in Aviston. The Aviston Fire Department will visit the funeral home at 7 p.m. and the American Legion will visit at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday.

Memorials may be made to the St. Francis Parish Improvement Fund, Hospice of Southern Illinois or to the Aviston American Legion Post 1239 and will be received at the funeral home.