Richard Adolph Dreher's Obituary
Richard Adolph Dreher, 84 years of Columbia, IL, passed away on March 24, 2023, at de Greeff Hospice House, Concord, MO. He was born January 20, 1939, at St. Mary’s Hospital in East St. Louis.
He was a member of the Columbia Volunteer Fire Dept since 1961, Columbia Gymnastic Association and taught turning school for fifty years, Knights of Columbus, Columbia, and the American Legion, Columbia. He enjoyed playing softball, bowling, golfing, volleyball, going boating, deep-sea fishing and attending St. Louis Cardinal baseball and football games. During his time as being a volunteer fire firefighter with Columbia he was a part of refurbishing the 1927 Studebaker Fire Truck. He served his country proudly in the United States Army Reserves.
He is survived by wife of 57 years, Nancy Lee Dreher, nee Schwankhaus of Columbia, his two children, Cole Dreher of Columbia, and Sara Dreher of Columbia, his grandson, Max Dreher, his sister, Jane (Earl) Menner of Columbia, his two brother-in-law's, Tom (Debbie) Schwankhaus of Okawville, and Mark Schwankhaus of Okawville, his sister-in-law, Julie (Tom) Stein of Okawville, his nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews, great great nieces and nephews, other relatives and many dear friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Adolph and Charlotte, nee Eckert, Dreher.
Visitation will be Friday, March 31, 2023, 2:00pm - 8:00pm, at Leesman Funeral Home - Columbia, Columbia, IL, and Saturday, April 1, 2023, 9:00am - 10:00am, Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Columbia, IL. Services will be held, Saturday April 1, 2023, 10:00am, at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Columbia, IL with Father Carl Scherrer officiating. Interment will follow in the Immaculate Conception Cemetery, Columbia, Illinois.
In lieu of customary remembrances, the family requests with gratitude that memorial contributions be directed to Columbia Volunteer Fire Dept.1020 N. Main St., Columbia, IL 62236 or to Columbia Gymnastic Association, 211 E. Cherry St, Columbia, IL 62236.
For more information, please access our website, www.leesmanfuneralhome.com.
Arrangements were handled by Leesman Funeral Home.
What’s your fondest memory of Richard?
What’s a lesson you learned from Richard?
Share a story where Richard's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Richard you’ll never forget.
How did Richard make you smile?