Richard Ireland

Richard Lee Ireland, SMSgt, 68, of Swansea, IL, born December 25, 1954, in Trenton, MO, died Friday, August 18, 2023, at Mercy Rehab and Care Center, Swansea, IL.

Richard was a graduate of Garfield High School, Seattle, WA. He received his bachelor’s degree from McKendree University, and his master’s degree from Webster University.

Richard was a US Air Force veteran who served from July 1974 to December 1995. He worked as an auto mechanic and later worked as a computer and systems management superintendent until 2021. Richard served on many bases, including Altus, Oklahoma; Izmir, Turkey; Tinker, Oklahoma; Lakenheath, United Kingdom; Helinikon, Greece; McChord, Washington; Rodelhiem, Germany; McGuire, New Jersey; and Scott Air Force Base, Illinois.

He enjoyed family time, working in his yard, traveling, bike riding, and hiking. He loved working on and driving his ’72 Corvette to wineries and listening to music and helping and teaching children with home projects. Richard enjoyed working part-time for 21 years at Southwestern Illinois College teaching computer operations and networking.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Carol, nee Wolf, Ireland Moore; his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Harold and Florence Miller; and a father-in-law, Andrew Doychak.

Surviving are his loving wife of 17 years, Karen, nee Miller, Ireland, whom he married on June 17, 2006; three children, Sarah (Joe) Largent, Joseph (Shelly) Ireland, and Theresa (Mark) Daubs; four stepchildren, Jason Hankammer (Cheri Thompson), Angela (Tyler) Murphy, Nicholas Hankammer, and Katie Hankammer (Joel Nienkamp); nine grandchildren, Anslie and Riordan Ireland, Gabriel and Hayleigh Largent, Logan and Grady Daubs, Hayden and Emerson Murphy, and Ava Thompson; two brothers, Frank Ireland and David (Dana) Ireland; and many aunts, uncles, and cousins.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to LBDA Lewy Body Dementia Association, St. John’s Community Care (222 Goethe Avenue, Collinsville, IL 62234), or to Needs Among Us at First United Presbyterian Church, Belleville, IL. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.rennerfh.com.

Visitation: Friends may visit from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, August 26, 2023, at First United Presbyterian Church, Belleville, IL.

Funeral: Memorial services will be held at noon Saturday, August 26, 2023, at First United Presbyterian Church, Belleville, IL., with Rev. Robert Dyer officiating.

Private burial with military honors will be at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery, St. Louis, MO, at a later date.