Richard Eugene O'Connor

Richard Eugene O’Connor, age 80, of Herrin, Illinois, passed away on Sunday, May 17, 2020 at 5:06 p.m. at Shawnee Senior Living in Herrin.

Richard was born on February 29, 1940, in Watertown, South Dakota, a son of Stephen Patrick and Harriet Dorothy (Gonstead) O’Connor and attended the University of South Dakota.  He married Jacqueline Booker and to this union, two sons were born.  Richard worked in market research for AC Nielsen and was a proud veteran of the United States Army.  He was a member of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Catholic Church in Herrin and the Knights of Columbus.

Survivors include two sons, Stephen Patrick (Kathy) O’Connor of Missouri and Scott Booker (Jerica) O’Connor of Illinois; and six grandchildren, Andrew, Matthew and Tyler O’Connor and Paige, Regan and Ian O’Connor.

He was preceded in death by his parents and one brother.

DUE TO HEALTH CONCERNS RELATED TO THE COVID-19 VIRUS, a private memorial service will be held on Friday, May 22, 2020 at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Catholic Church in Herrin with Monsignor Ken Schaefer officiating.  Inurnment will take place at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery in St. Louis, Missouri.

Johnson-Hughes Funeral Home in Herrin is assisting the family with the arrangements.

For those who prefer, memorials may be made to Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Catholic Church or Folds of Honor and will be accepted at Johnson-Hughes Funeral Home, 201 South 13th Street, Herrin, Illinois 62948.