RICK “PAPA” BARGER Richard Wayne “Papa” Barger, 69, of Liberty, Illinois, passed away at 1:39 p.m. Monday (December 24, 2018) at his home. Born September 1, 1949 in Springfield, Illinois, Rick was the son of Ralph S. and Ida Mae Webb Barger. Rick was raised in the home of his cousin, Mick and Dick Sturgeon.
He married Sandra “Sandy” Gant on June 22, 1968 in Springfield, Illinois. She survives. Mr. Barger served his country in the U. S. Army during the Vietnam War.
Rick was an active member of Liberty Christian Church where he served as a Deacon and Elder for many years. The children of the church knew him as “Papa” and he loved passing out candy to them on Sunday mornings. Rick’s family was most important to him and he loved spending time with them, especially following his grandchildren in all of their activities.
He enjoyed fishing, traveling with Sandy, going out to eat and watching football and rooting for his Chicago Bears. Rick began his career in sales as a sales representative for Robert’s Foods. He later worked for Allen Foods, U. S. Foods, Area Distributors and retired as District Sales Manager for Kohl Wholesale in 2014.
Survivors include his wife of 50 years, Sandy; three children, Teresa Paszkiet (Steve) of Liberty, IL, Carrie Barger of Quincy and Lonnie Barger of Gillespie, IL; eight grandchildren, Trevor Harris, Tucker Kurfman, Christina Paszkiet, Cameron Paszkiet, Christian Paszkiet, Hannah Barger, Zoe Barger and Jenny Barger; his cousin whom he thought of as his mom, Mick Sturgeon and her children who were like his brothers and sisters, Dick Sturgeon (Carol) of Kenney, IL, George Sturgeon (Beth) of Clinton, IL, Debbie Rhoades (Terry) of Kenney, IL, Diana Oakley (Doug) of Kenney, IL and Cheryl Cyrulik (Mike) of Kenney, IL; and many loving nieces and nephews. Rick was preceded in death by his parents; the father who raised him, Dick Sturgeon; two brothers, Robert “Bobby” Barger and David Barger; and two sisters, Ida Louise Mitts and Patricia Mitts. Arrangements are in the care of the Zehender Robinson Stormer Cookson Funeral Home in Quincy.
Funeral services will be held Monday morning at 10:00 in the Liberty Christian Church with Pastor Terry Henry officiating. Burial with Military Honors by the Quincy American Legion Post 37 and the Illinois National Guard Funeral Honors Detail will be in Sunset Cemetery. Visitation will be Sunday evening from 3:00 to 6:00 and Monday morning from 9:30 until the time of services at the Liberty Christian Church.
Memorials may be made to the Liberty Christian Church.
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