Richard L. Eshelman

Richard Leroy Eshelman, 97, of St. Charles, Missouri,  previously from Washington for 38 years, passed away on Tuesday, September  11, 2018, at his home.  He was born on March 1, 1921 in Hooppole, Illinois to the late Edward and Minnie (nee Brady) Eshelman.  Richard graduated from Rock Island High School (Rocky) and carried papers for years as a young boy at the Rock Island Argus newspaper.

Richard served his country during World War II aboard the USS Proteus, a submarine tender ship, in the Pacific Ocean.  He and his shipmates were aboard the ship in the Tokyo Bay during the Japanese Surrender Ceremony in 1945. "Dick" held the position of Mailman-2/c (T) V6 USNR and received the American Theater of War,  Asiatic-Pacific Campaign, Victory, and Good Conduct medals.

After his military service, he worked at Buck Buick in Rock Island, Illinois and Eagle Distribution in Milan, Illinois as parts manager, district manager for several Auto Parts stores in the Rock Island and Milan, Illinois region, and as a maintenance person with Klak Mgmt Corp in Washington until his retirement.

Richard was united in marriage to the late  Annette (nee Manuel) Nelson on July 23, 1954, in Rock Island, Illinois.  Richard was an avid St. Louis Cardinal and Iowa Hawkeye fan. He loved spending time with his friends and family and traveling.

A funeral service will be held on Friday, September 14, 2018, at 10:00 a.m. at Miller Funeral Home, Washington.  Interment will follow at the Presbyterian Cemetery.  A visitation will be held on Thursday, September 13, 2018, from 4 until 8 pm at Miller Funeral Home. Memorial donations are appreciated to the Franklin County Humane Society, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2661, or the American Diabetes Association.

Richard is survived by three children, Joyce Carman and husband Fred of Rock Island, Illinois, Daniel Eshelman and wife Cathy of St. Charles, Missouri, and David Eshelman and wife Mary of Bettendorf, Iowa; two step daughters, Sharon Wallace of Mt Morris, Illinois and Deborah Klak and husband Mike of Washington; four siblings, Edith Bowman of Davenport, Iowa, Lois Heinsen of Davenport, Iowa, Doris Kelley of Davenport Iowa, and Peggy Lambert and husband Elmer of Port St. Richey, Florida; thirteen grandchildren, twenty great grandchildren, and thirteen great-great grandchildren; other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife; one brother, John Eshelman; one step-son, Dennis Nelson; and one step son-in-law Robert Wallace.

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