Francis Richards Obituary

Francis Barth

Richards, Sr.

Francis Barth Richards, Sr., 82 years of age, died peacefully on December 4 following a series of strokes.

Barth was born in Marquette, MI, the son of a school teacher and a traveling salesman. He earned a B.A. in Accounting at Northern Michigan University. For over 30 years, held various supervisory and managerial positions with Michigan Bell, Illinois Bell, and AT&T. He lived in Glen Ellyn for 42 years and lived in Lisle for the last 3 years. Barth was an active member of St. Petronille Catholic Church in Glen Ellyn. He was a volunteer with Public Action to Deliver Shelter (PADS), the American Cancer Society, and Wellness House. For many years, Barth was an avid fisherman and an active member of the West Towns Chorus, with whom he often sang in concerts and international competitions.

Barth is survived by his sons, Barth (Cheryl) and Michael (Dawn); granddaughter, Abby; grandson, Kaiden; and brother, Robert (late Judy).

He is preceded in death by his wife, Mary Jo; daughter, Patty; grandson, Luke; mother, Ida; father, William; and brother, Fr. William G. Richards.

Visitation will be held at The Leonard Memorial Home, 565 Duane St., Glen Ellyn, on Thursday, December 8, from 4 to 8 pm.

A funeral mass will be held at St. Petronille, 420 Glenwood Ave., Glen Ellyn, on Friday, December 9, at 10 am. Interment to follow at Assumption Cemetery in Wheaton, IL.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Barth's name may be made to Esperan a, 1911 West Earll Drive, Phoenix, AZ 85015 888-701-5150 www.esperanca.org or to the programs for the homeless at St. Petronille, 420 Glenwood Ave., Glen Ellyn, IL 60137 630-469-0404 www.stpetschurch.org.

For info, 630-469-0032.