Richard H. Greene

Richard H. Greene, 62, of Bloomington, IL, passed away at 3:30 am on Sunday, June 7, 2026, at OSF St. Francis Medical Center in Peoria, IL.

For the past 10 months he valiantly fought esophageal cancer with his teams from Mayo Clinic and Illinois Cancer Care.

He was born on March 15, 1964, in Peoria to Richard Horace and Credwyn Anne (Mahannah) Greene. He grew up in Washburn and Freeport, IL.

Rick, also known as Dick to his sisters, is survived by his mother, Credwyn Greene, of Germantown Hills, IL; and five sisters: Joan (David) Quigg and Sue Davis, both of Germantown Hills, Beth (Paul) Friling of East Peoria, Sharon (Ron) Roberts of Mount Prospect, IL, and Eini VonBecker of Helsinki, Finland. He was preceded in death by his father, Richard, brother-in-law, Larry Davis, maternal grandparents James and Valaria (Brown) Mahannah and paternal grandmother Mary Belle (Sharf, Greene) Zeiders.

He also leaves behind four nieces and three nephews: Peter (Jessica) Quigg, Andrew (Anna) Quigg, Katherine (Josh Kramer) Quigg, Karen (Rod) Holmes, Wynne Davis, Samantha (Ken Plaisted) Roberts and Sean Roberts; three great nephews and four great nieces.

Rick was the youngest child in the family, and as the only boy he was often the center of attention in his early years. In high school, he loved to golf and was on the high school tennis team. He loved animals, particularly dogs, and had many pets including his first English Sheepdog Mai Tai. During high school, he also helped out at his parent’s music stores in downtown Freeport – first Greene’s Music and later the Music Stand both at 21 E. Stephenson Street.

Rick graduated from Freeport Senior High School in 1983, attending Highland Community College in Freeport the spring of his senior year. He also attended Triton College (River Grove, IL) and the University of Nevada-Las Vegas, with studies that included culinary arts. He worked and ran restaurants in Las Vegas, St. Louis, MO, and Bloomington, IL. He married Dafne Furlong Nicolopulos in 1999 and they were together 16 years.

Following his Dad’s lead, he grew up as an avid Philadelphia Phillies and Chicago Bears fan and had an uncanny ability to recount games and statistics for both teams. Throughout his life, his love of people made him a natural salesman like his father, whether selling products, services or ideas. Most recently, he was a sales representative for Sunrun in East Peoria selling home solar installations.

Rick was truly blessed to have a wonderful extended family network made up of many amazing lifetime friends.

He met Larry Smith as a freshman in high school, and later with Christian Sattler, a foreign exchange student from Germany, they became a trio—creating friendships that endured the test of time. The three were there when Larry met his wife-to-be, Jackie (Jacqueline), while they studied at Highland Community College. Rick was honored to be their best man and would keep in touch as they moved at home and abroad for Larry’s career. Larry and Jackie texted, called and visited Rick often as he fought his cancer, providing emotional support that was greatly appreciated. As Uncle Rick, he acted as godparent for their children, Zack and Grace, and continued to stay close with the family as the children grew into adulthood. He celebrated with them as the family expanded with the addition of Zack’s son and Grace’s children, Benjamin, Liliana, Silas and Thomas Richard—whose middle name honors him.

While living in Bloomington, he met Ky and Sharla Ajayi, and they were close friends for decades. Rick enjoyed just hanging out with them, weekend barbecues and family get-togethers that often included their children, Dayo, Sade and Lara. Ky and Sharla also provided unwavering support during past months.

Richard’s memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, July 1, 2026, at Willow Hill United Methodist Church in East Peoria. Visitation will be held one hour prior to his service. Burial will be at Parkview Cemetery in Peoria, IL. Cremation rights have been accorded. Memorials may be given to the Mayo Clinic Foundation, c/o Department of Development, Mayo Clinic, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN 55905 or online at www.give.mayoclinic.org or to TAPS No-Kill Animal Shelter, 100 Taps Lane, Pekin, IL 61554. Mason Funeral Home in Metamora assisted the family with arrangements – www.masonfuneralhomes.com.