Richard L. Pelton

Richard L. "Rick" Pelton, age 77, passed away suddenly on Wednesday, September 3, 2025.

Rick was born in Joliet, Illinois on March 25, 1948. The older of two sons, he challenged his parents with his boundless energy and insatiable intellect. As a young man, he read the dictionary and his thirst for knowledge endured throughout his life.

Rick graduated from Joliet West High School before completing a Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering at Southern Illinois University in Carbondale. He loved the beauty of the nature in southern Illinois and very much enjoyed his years there.

He joined the Moran AC upon relocating back to Joliet and remained a dedicated, active and much loved member until his passing.

Rick used his engineering degree to pursue a career in carpentry and was a proud and loyal member of the Carpenters Union Local #174.

He was masterful at his craft and worked to build and maintain refineries, nuclear power plants, shopping centers, homes and much more. This included his own beautiful home in Shorewood, Illinois, for which he drew the basic design when he was in eighth grade. He welcomed two daughters into that home.

Rick was a fantastic provider and a phenomenal father who gave his girls an idyllic setting for wonderful childhoods where there were many children for them to play with and a park right across the street from his treasured corner lot.

He took pride in having a beautiful lawn there and at his subsequent homes. But, the majority of his pride was reserved for his daughters, grandchildren and being a true and helpful friend to so many. It was nearly impossible to go anywhere with Rick where he didn't know someone.

After retirement, he spent many years enjoying NASCAR races around the country, reveling in the peace of Michigan's UP while enjoying the friendships he made there and traveling more broadly to Mexico and the Dominican Republic.

In more recent years, he traveled mostly for golf and fishing trips with friends. He also enjoyed golfing locally whenever possible and the meetings at the 19th hole that often followed.

Rick was blessed with three amazing grandchildren, two grandsons and a granddaughter. These days, his fishing was largely local in the afternoons with his grandsons. He imparted his vast knowledge of life on them with regard to fishing and so much more.

He was a proud Papa, attending countless baseball and football games where he was delighted to see both of his grandsons excel.

Despite never being a fan of camping, emphatically so, Rick loved the outdoors and nature in general. He was very fond of watching the birds and other wildlife in his neighborhood and kept them all well fed.

Rick was an excellent cook, grill master and baker and often whipped up banana bread and cookies that were lovingly distributed and enjoyed by many.

He grew tomatoes every year and happily passed them out to friends and anyone who asked. He also loved flowers, especially sunflowers, which he never failed to forget to plant every single year.

There was always next year, the motto also carried by his beloved Chicago Cubs, of which he was a lifelong fan.

Sadly now, there is no next year for Rick to plant his sunflowers. However, there is a beautiful legacy of memories left behind for his children, grandchildren and friends of his kindness, humor, generosity and truly gifted storytelling abilities.

Preceded in death by his father, Richard A. Pelton, mother, Vernice Pelton (nee Lembke) and brother, Jack Pelton.

Survived by his daughters, Carrie Pelton and Casey (Ryan) Sester; grandchildren, Ryan, Nolan and Ashlyn Sester; countless friends, including Dave Gerdes, Brian Cameron, Joey Jelinek, Dennis Ruettiger, Dave Thomas, Keith Cortright and Jack Lucaora. Numerous nieces, nephews and cousins also survive.

Rick succeeded in doing something in life that many never do, he was happy. He did his job well and can rest easy, knowing that his life left a positive influence on the lives of so many others and that his knowledge will live on in every one of them.

And, until the end, his hair always looked great.

In lieu of flowers, Rick's family would appreciate donations made to your favorite charity in his name.

A memorial gathering for Richard L. Pelton will be held on Friday, September 12, 2025 at the Blackburn-Giegerich-Sonntag Funeral Home, 1500 Black Rd., Joliet, Illinois from 3:00 PM until 7:00 PM.