Final Salute

Richard “Dick” F. Shepard, 85, of Payson, IL, passed away at 2:35 am Saturday, October 7, 2023 at Blessing Hospital in Quincy, IL.

A Funeral Ceremony will be at 3:00 pm Thursday, October 12, 2023, at Payson United Methodist Church in Payson, IL. Pastor Annelle Ruemmler will officiate. Burial will follow at Payson New Cemetery in Payson, IL. Full military honors will be conducted by the VFW of Payson and the United States Navy Funeral Honors Detail.

Friends and Family are invited to Dick’s Life Celebration at a visitation that will be Thursday, October 12, 2023 from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm at Payson United Methodist Church in Payson, IL.

Dick was born April 22, 1938, in Quincy, IL to Henry J. and Ruth (Slocum) Shepard. He was married to Joyce Lynn Herpin on December 22, 1956 at Payson United Methodist Church in Payson, IL. She preceded him in death on June 28, 2021.

He is survived by his daughter, Joy (David) DeLaPorte of Payson, IL; two sons, James (Dawn) Shepard of Payson, IL, and Mark Shepard of Quincy, IL; five grandchildren, Lauren (Jeremy) Holt of Quincy, IL, Kaytlynn Shepard of Payson, IL, Grace Shepard of Quincy, IL, Clare DeLaPorte of St. Charles, MO, and Meryle (Rob) Galloway of O’Fallon, MO; and five great-grandchildren, Emmalea, Ellaina, Elynnor, Ethan, and Logan.

In addition to his wife, Dick was preceded in death by his parents.

Dick proudly served his country as a Seabee as a Construction Battalion in the United States Navy.

Most of his childhood was spent joined alongside his father, Henry, honing his woodworking skills in preparation to take over as the third generation owner of Shepard Construction. He was simultaneously the Payson Fire Chief for 50 years from 1965-2015, and he also served on the Board of Directors for the Payson-Fall Creek Fire Department. He played a critical role in acquiring funding for the equipment and the department. In addition, Dick was a school bus driver for Payson School District for 15 years and a YMCA summer camp bus driver for over five years, becoming a mentor and family friend to the children.

Dick enjoyed vegetable gardening, hunting for deer, and fishing on the river in his jon boat. He always had lots of trout lines and usually ended up with buckets full of fish. Many days were spent at his river camp, even in the winter. In the summer, they often had cookouts, but in the winter, they would ice skate! An avid and competitive bowler, Dick enjoyed bowling at Tangerine Bowl and even sponsored a Shepard Construction team on Monday nights. He enjoyed watching and attending NASCAR races, cheering on his favorite driver, Mark Martin. He enjoyed reading and watching Westerns. Dick was a skilled craftsman, carpenter, plumber, and electrician. He built many homes in the community, including his own. There wasn’t anything he couldn’t build or fix. An excellent wood craftsman, he built and hand-carved several heirloom wood furniture pieces for his friends and family throughout the years. Watching beautiful sunsets, feeding squirrels and hummingbirds, horseshoe pitching, and playing solitaire were a couple of his other favorite pastimes. He enjoyed daily rides in the pickup truck around town with the family dogs. Together, he and his wife Joyce shared many wonderful trips to Estes Park, CO, creating memories together with friends and family. He enjoyed listening to the bugling elk, hiking in the mountains, and watching the sunsets on the mountains. Dick was an amazing griller, but nothing beat homemade peach pie, real lemonade, and his wife Joyce’s oatmeal raisin cookies. Everyone who knew Dick was touched by his genuine kindness. The fruits of his labor will be enjoyed and appreciated for generations to come. Family was most important to Dick. He cherished every moment that he was able to spend with them and will be remembered for his humble ways and how much he loved his wife, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

Dick was a lifelong member of Payson United Methodist Church, where he volunteered many hours.

Pallbearers will be Jeremy Holt, Richard Avoletta, Rick Kroencke, Bob Uppinghouse, Jeff Wilson, and Joel Kroencke.

Honorary Pallbearers will be Glen Schwartz, Shawn Kroencke, John Shepard, David DeLaPorte, and Mark Shepard.

Memorial contributions may be made to Payson United Methodist Church or the Payson-Fall Creek Fire Department.