Richard “Dick” Vaughn Colbeck, 86, of Decatur, took the Lord’s hand on Wednesday April 18th, 2018 at 1pm in his home, surrounded with his loving family after battling pancreatic cancer.
Visitation will be Saturday April 21st at 1pm at Brintlinger and Earl funeral home in Decatur. Funeral services will proceed at 2pm there. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Shriner’s Hospitals for Children.
Dick was born September 10th, 1931 to Morris and Lela (Tillsberry) Colbeck. He was the only child to survive their union. At an early age he exhibited a natural talent for drawing which improved over the course of his life. He spent his childhood in Decatur, Humboldt, Peoria, and Minnesota. Making memories everywhere he went, his most cherished were made in Decatur with his grandmother Anna and his father. He graduated from Stephen Decatur High School in 1950, where Ray Charles played the commencement. The Airforce was next for him, where he served 4 years while stationed at the Francis E. Warren Air Force Base near Cheyenne, Wyoming and the Thule Air Base, near Thule, Greenland. His talent for art followed him there; he would paint planes and pin up art on his friends’ jackets. He was part of the Three Mile Gang while in Thule. After the Airforce he attended Millikin University for some time. He married in 1955. Though the union ended in divorce, it resulted in one child, Richard D. Colbeck.
Dick married Carol Justice on December 10th, 1965 in Kincaid. Their union produced a daughter, Tracy (Colbeck) Hay. He worked for Caterpillar as an electrician from 1970 until 1997. His nickname there was “Gloves”. He was a Shriner and member of the IBEW. He was always a hard worker and had many business ventures and a few patents. He installed wood burning stoves, fireplaces, and security systems. At one time in his life, he talked his way into a draftsman position without much formal training and did quite well at the job. After retiring from CAT, he spent some time working at Illinois State University as an electrician, as well as running a carpet cleaning truck for a few years.
Though he worked many jobs after leaving CAT, he still took time out to enjoy his retirement by working on his art and other relaxing hobbies. He could be recognized around Decatur as “the old guy who draws” at the thrift stores or at restaurants. He would often give his placemat drawings to the waitresses at the various restaurants he ate. He put together a calendar for the past 19 years that featured his drawings of falling down barns and other images that were inspired by his early life and his imagination. He also was involved with Gallery 510 and The Barn Colony. He spoke a few times to elementary schools to inspire kids about art. In more recent years, he carried around wallet size pictures of Jesus that he drew and passed them out to people around town. He attended Oak Grove Church of the Nazarene for many years.
Dick had a zest for life. When he was healthy, he enjoyed many outdoor activities – hiking, fishing, boating, swimming, and even roller skating. He owned many classic cars within his life, enjoyed riding his motorcycle, and going for long drives in the country. But most of all, he enjoyed his time with his family. They had many family cookouts at local and surrounding parks. Dick was an extraordinary man who always had an encouraging message and made friends wherever he went. He will be deeply missed by his loved ones but his legacy of creative thinking, adventure, work ethic, and dedication to family will continue.
He is survived by his wife Carol; his sister Carol “Caroline” and his brother Jim (Jill) Colbeck; two children: Richard (Lorrie) Colbeck and Tracy (Brian) Hay; seven grandchildren: Brittany (Kevin) Wickart, Austin Colbeck, Tim Hay, Alex (Michelle) Hay, Sadie (Kenny) Smith, Andrea (Tyler) Watson, and Becky Hay; and one great granddaughter Alara Watson.
He was preceded in death by his parents and his step mother Bertha (Duncan) Colbeck; his grandparents; two infant siblings; and many friends.
Visitation will be Saturday April 21st at 1pm at Brintlinger and Earl funeral home in Decatur. Funeral services will proceed at 2pm there. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Shriner’s Hospitals for Children.
Dick was born September 10th, 1931 to Morris and Lela (Tillsberry) Colbeck. He was the only child to survive their union. At an early age he exhibited a natural talent for drawing which improved over the course of his life. He spent his childhood in Decatur, Humboldt, Peoria, and Minnesota. Making memories everywhere he went, his most cherished were made in Decatur with his grandmother Anna and his father. He graduated from Stephen Decatur High School in 1950, where Ray Charles played the commencement. The Airforce was next for him, where he served 4 years while stationed at the Francis E. Warren Air Force Base near Cheyenne, Wyoming and the Thule Air Base, near Thule, Greenland. His talent for art followed him there; he would paint planes and pin up art on his friends’ jackets. He was part of the Three Mile Gang while in Thule. After the Airforce he attended Millikin University for some time. He married in 1955. Though the union ended in divorce, it resulted in one child, Richard D. Colbeck.
Dick married Carol Justice on December 10th, 1965 in Kincaid. Their union produced a daughter, Tracy (Colbeck) Hay. He worked for Caterpillar as an electrician from 1970 until 1997. His nickname there was “Gloves”. He was a Shriner and member of the IBEW. He was always a hard worker and had many business ventures and a few patents. He installed wood burning stoves, fireplaces, and security systems. At one time in his life, he talked his way into a draftsman position without much formal training and did quite well at the job. After retiring from CAT, he spent some time working at Illinois State University as an electrician, as well as running a carpet cleaning truck for a few years.
Though he worked many jobs after leaving CAT, he still took time out to enjoy his retirement by working on his art and other relaxing hobbies. He could be recognized around Decatur as “the old guy who draws” at the thrift stores or at restaurants. He would often give his placemat drawings to the waitresses at the various restaurants he ate. He put together a calendar for the past 19 years that featured his drawings of falling down barns and other images that were inspired by his early life and his imagination. He also was involved with Gallery 510 and The Barn Colony. He spoke a few times to elementary schools to inspire kids about art. In more recent years, he carried around wallet size pictures of Jesus that he drew and passed them out to people around town. He attended Oak Grove Church of the Nazarene for many years.
Dick had a zest for life. When he was healthy, he enjoyed many outdoor activities – hiking, fishing, boating, swimming, and even roller skating. He owned many classic cars within his life, enjoyed riding his motorcycle, and going for long drives in the country. But most of all, he enjoyed his time with his family. They had many family cookouts at local and surrounding parks. Dick was an extraordinary man who always had an encouraging message and made friends wherever he went. He will be deeply missed by his loved ones but his legacy of creative thinking, adventure, work ethic, and dedication to family will continue.
He is survived by his wife Carol; his sister Carol “Caroline” and his brother Jim (Jill) Colbeck; two children: Richard (Lorrie) Colbeck and Tracy (Brian) Hay; seven grandchildren: Brittany (Kevin) Wickart, Austin Colbeck, Tim Hay, Alex (Michelle) Hay, Sadie (Kenny) Smith, Andrea (Tyler) Watson, and Becky Hay; and one great granddaughter Alara Watson.
He was preceded in death by his parents and his step mother Bertha (Duncan) Colbeck; his grandparents; two infant siblings; and many friends.
Richard “Dick” Vaughn Colbeck, 86, of Decatur, took the Lord’s hand on Wednesday April 18th, 2018 at 1pm in his home, surrounded with his loving family after battling pancreatic cancer.
Visitation will be Saturday April 21st at 1pm at Brintlinger and Earl funeral home in Decatur. Funeral services will proceed at 2pm there. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Shriner’s Hospitals for Children.
Dick was born September 10th, 1931 to Morris and Lela (Tillsberry) Colbeck. He was the only child to survive their union. At an early age he exhibited a natural talent for drawing which improved over the course of his life. He spent his childhood in Decatur, Humboldt, Peoria, and Minnesota. Making memories everywhere he went, his most cherished were made in Decatur with his grandmother Anna and his father. He graduated from Stephen Decatur High School in 1950, where Ray Charles played the commencement. The Airforce was next for him, where he served 4 years while stationed at the Francis E. Warren Air Force Base near Cheyenne, Wyoming and the Thule Air Base, near Thule, Greenland. His talent for art followed him there; he would paint planes and pin up art on his friends’ jackets. He was part of the Three Mile Gang while in Thule. After the Airforce he attended Millikin University for some time. He married in 1955. Though the union ended in divorce, it resulted in one child, Richard D. Colbeck.
Dick married Carol Justice on December 10th, 1965 in Kincaid. Their union produced a daughter, Tracy (Colbeck) Hay. He worked for Caterpillar as an electrician from 1970 until 1997. His nickname there was “Gloves”. He was a Shriner and member of the IBEW. He was always a hard worker and had many business ventures and a few patents. He installed wood burning stoves, fireplaces, and security systems. At one time in his life, he talked his way into a draftsman position without much formal training and did quite well at the job. After retiring from CAT, he spent some time working at Illinois State University as an electrician, as well as running a carpet cleaning truck for a few years.
Though he worked many jobs after leaving CAT, he still took time out to enjoy his retirement by working on his art and other relaxing hobbies. He could be recognized around Decatur as “the old guy who draws” at the thrift stores or at restaurants. He would often give his placemat drawings to the waitresses at the various restaurants he ate. He put together a calendar for the past 19 years that featured his drawings of falling down barns and other images that were inspired by his early life and his imagination. He also was involved with Gallery 510 and The Barn Colony. He spoke a few times to elementary schools to inspire kids about art. In more recent years, he carried around wallet size pictures of Jesus that he drew and passed them out to people around town. He attended Oak Grove Church of the Nazarene for many years.
Dick had a zest for life. When he was healthy, he enjoyed many outdoor activities – hiking, fishing, boating, swimming, and even roller skating. He owned many classic cars within his life, enjoyed riding his motorcycle, and going for long drives in the country. But most of all, he enjoyed his time with his family. They had many family cookouts at local and surrounding parks. Dick was an extraordinary man who always had an encouraging message and made friends wherever he went. He will be deeply missed by his loved ones but his legacy of creative thinking, adventure, work ethic, and dedication to family will continue.
He is survived by his wife Carol; his sister Carol “Caroline” and his brother Jim (Jill) Colbeck; two children: Richard (Lorrie) Colbeck and Tracy (Brian) Hay; seven grandchildren: Brittany (Kevin) Wickart, Austin Colbeck, Tim Hay, Alex (Michelle) Hay, Sadie (Kenny) Smith, Andrea (Tyler) Watson, and Becky Hay; and one great granddaughter Alara Watson.
He was preceded in death by his parents and his step mother Bertha (Duncan) Colbeck; his grandparents; two infant siblings; and many friends.
Visitation will be Saturday April 21st at 1pm at Brintlinger and Earl funeral home in Decatur. Funeral services will proceed at 2pm there. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Shriner’s Hospitals for Children.
Dick was born September 10th, 1931 to Morris and Lela (Tillsberry) Colbeck. He was the only child to survive their union. At an early age he exhibited a natural talent for drawing which improved over the course of his life. He spent his childhood in Decatur, Humboldt, Peoria, and Minnesota. Making memories everywhere he went, his most cherished were made in Decatur with his grandmother Anna and his father. He graduated from Stephen Decatur High School in 1950, where Ray Charles played the commencement. The Airforce was next for him, where he served 4 years while stationed at the Francis E. Warren Air Force Base near Cheyenne, Wyoming and the Thule Air Base, near Thule, Greenland. His talent for art followed him there; he would paint planes and pin up art on his friends’ jackets. He was part of the Three Mile Gang while in Thule. After the Airforce he attended Millikin University for some time. He married in 1955. Though the union ended in divorce, it resulted in one child, Richard D. Colbeck.
Dick married Carol Justice on December 10th, 1965 in Kincaid. Their union produced a daughter, Tracy (Colbeck) Hay. He worked for Caterpillar as an electrician from 1970 until 1997. His nickname there was “Gloves”. He was a Shriner and member of the IBEW. He was always a hard worker and had many business ventures and a few patents. He installed wood burning stoves, fireplaces, and security systems. At one time in his life, he talked his way into a draftsman position without much formal training and did quite well at the job. After retiring from CAT, he spent some time working at Illinois State University as an electrician, as well as running a carpet cleaning truck for a few years.
Though he worked many jobs after leaving CAT, he still took time out to enjoy his retirement by working on his art and other relaxing hobbies. He could be recognized around Decatur as “the old guy who draws” at the thrift stores or at restaurants. He would often give his placemat drawings to the waitresses at the various restaurants he ate. He put together a calendar for the past 19 years that featured his drawings of falling down barns and other images that were inspired by his early life and his imagination. He also was involved with Gallery 510 and The Barn Colony. He spoke a few times to elementary schools to inspire kids about art. In more recent years, he carried around wallet size pictures of Jesus that he drew and passed them out to people around town. He attended Oak Grove Church of the Nazarene for many years.
Dick had a zest for life. When he was healthy, he enjoyed many outdoor activities – hiking, fishing, boating, swimming, and even roller skating. He owned many classic cars within his life, enjoyed riding his motorcycle, and going for long drives in the country. But most of all, he enjoyed his time with his family. They had many family cookouts at local and surrounding parks. Dick was an extraordinary man who always had an encouraging message and made friends wherever he went. He will be deeply missed by his loved ones but his legacy of creative thinking, adventure, work ethic, and dedication to family will continue.
He is survived by his wife Carol; his sister Carol “Caroline” and his brother Jim (Jill) Colbeck; two children: Richard (Lorrie) Colbeck and Tracy (Brian) Hay; seven grandchildren: Brittany (Kevin) Wickart, Austin Colbeck, Tim Hay, Alex (Michelle) Hay, Sadie (Kenny) Smith, Andrea (Tyler) Watson, and Becky Hay; and one great granddaughter Alara Watson.
He was preceded in death by his parents and his step mother Bertha (Duncan) Colbeck; his grandparents; two infant siblings; and many friends.
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