William L. Riechmann
Mr. William L. Riechmann of Okawville, IL departed this life in the Extended Care Wing of the Washington County Hospital in Nashville, IL on Monday morning, February 3, 2025. He had attained the age of 87 years, 10 months, and 4 days.
Bill was born at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital in Belleville, IL on March 30, 1937, the son of Hugo and Laura (nee Ruehl) Riechmann. He was united in marriage to Marilyn Grefe in St. Luke’s Lutheran Church in Covington, IL on August 16, 1959, and she preceded him in death on January 5, 2001.
Bill was a 1955 graduate of Okawville High School. He then went to SIU to attend their VTI Campus where he graduated with an associate’s degree in accounting in 1957. William’s father, Hugo and Hugo’s brother, Walter founded Riechmann Bros on December 23, 1922. At the death of Hugo in 1958, when William was 21 years old, he was thrust into the business as the second generation. William was a partner in Riechmann Bros. John Deere in Okawville his entire life and loved his career and his customers.
Even though Bill would rather work more than do anything else, he was active in the community and his county. Mr. Riechmann was a lifelong active and faithful member of St. Peter’s United Church of Christ in Okawville. He taught Sunday school and served as Sunday school superintendent for several years. Bill also served on the church council and on many of the committees of the congregation. He was a 4-H leader with the Okawville Busy Bees for several years and was inducted into the Illinois 4-H Hall of Fame in 2017. He was a volunteer firefighter with the Okawville Fire Department for 31 years and served on the Okawville Wheat Festival Board where he served on many committees including, Queen Pageant Committee, Parade Horse Committee, and was chairman and founder of the Antique Tractor Pull Committee. Bill was an excellent Kiddie Parade Float builder and had an entry every year. Bill was also a member of the Board of Directors of the Mississippi Valley Farm Equipment Association and served as President for one year. Bill was elected to the Washington County Board in 1972 and served on the board for over 30 years, two of which were as Vice Chairman. He was instrumental in establishing the Washington County Ambulance Service and was chairman of the Ambulance Committee for many years. He also served on the Road and Bridge Committee as its chairman. Bill also served on the Building Committee and played a key role in the planning and construction of the new Washington County Judicial Center. Over the years, he also served as chairman of the Finance Committee, and he served on the Cemetery Committee the entire time that he was on the county board.
William enjoyed collecting antique farm equipment, working at the Ruehl family Centennial farmhouse, bowling on the Riechmann Bros. team for many years, and driving teams of horses in parades. Most of all, Bill loved working with his family and the employees and customers of the John Deere business and spending time with his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.
Left to mourn his passing are his four children, Donna Rabenort and husband Jeff, William Riechmann and wife Patty, Kevin Riechmann and wife Julie, and Keith Riechmann and special friend Pam Therion all of Okawville; ten grandchildren, Lance (Christine) Rabenort of Okawville, Cole (Millie) Rabenort of St. Louis, Kirk (Heather) Riechmann, and Trey (Amber) Riechmann all of Okawville, Chelsey (special friend, Darren Latham) Riechmann of Mascoutah, IL, Tyler (Macey) Riechmann of Lompoc, CA, Logan (fiancée Aly Florek) Riechmann, and Ethan Riechmann all of Okawville, Abby Riechmann of Okawville and Payton (fiancée Mallory Unverfehrt) Riechmann of Colorado Springs, CO; ten great grandchildren, Avery and William Rabenort, Huxley and Jaxson Riechmann, Delilah, Degen, and Demi Riechmann, Sawyer and Renley Sterrett, and Walker Riechmann; one brother, Loyd Riechmann of Okawville; three nephews, Mark (Michelle) Riechmann of Okawville, Mike (Melissa) Riechmann of Hoyleton, IL, and Matt (Erica) Riechmann of Okawville; a sister-in-law, Mary Lou (Lloyd) Grefe Klasing of Okawville; special cousin, Carol Ruehl Lieb and her special friend Ron; very special friend Emma Lou Mueller of Okawville; several great nieces and great nephews, other relatives and a host of friends.
In addition to his parents and wife, he was preceded in death by twin sisters, Doris and Delores and brother Hugo Jr. all in infancy, a sister-in-law, Norma Riechmann, and a niece, Lori Jean Riechmann in infancy.
Funeral services will be held from St. Peter’s United Church of Christ in Okawville on Saturday, February 8, 2025, at 11 A.M. with Pastor Jeffrey Schwab officiating. Interment will be in the church cemetery.
Friends may call at the Education Building of St. Peter’s United Church of Christ in Okawville on Friday from 4 P.M. until 8 P.M. Visitors are asked to enter the Education Building from the door on the west side of the building and exit out of the door on the north side of the building. Visitors who need a handicap accessible entrance and exit can use the double-glass doors on the south side of the building. Friends can also call at the church on Saturday from 9 A.M. until the time of the service.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the St. Peter’s Sunday School Program or to the Sara Strong Benefit for Sara Schmersahl and will be accepted by the Campagna Funeral Home.
Online expressions of sympathy may be made at www.campagnafuneralhomes.com
