Richard Guenther

Richard William Guenther, 60, of Beach Park, Illinois, died on Saturday, September 29, 2007 at the Veterans Administration Hospital in North Chicago. Richard was born April 20, 1947 in Bloomington, Illinois and grew up in the McHenry County area. He was a decorated Lance Corporal with the United States Marine Corps, serving October 1964 through December 1968, with 2 1/2 of those years in Vietnam. Richards medals included the national defense service medal, Vietnam service medal, Vietnam campaign medal, good conduct medal, and the Presidential unit citation. Richard was also an employee of Lift a Loft Company of Waukegan and he served as general manager of American Legion Homer Dehringer Post 281 of Waukegan until the closing of the post. Richard left a smile to all who knew him. Survivors include his wife Mary Ann Guenther (nee Niemi); step-children Douglas (Paula) O'Brien of Waukegan, Jeff (Christi) Zupec of Florida, Julie Zupec of Texas, Jill Zupec of Waukegan and Diane Massimo of Waukegan; his many grandchildren who loved him dearly; two sisters Mary Ann Marquette of Barrington, Illinois and Marsha (Craig) Howes of Island Lake, Illinois; two nieces Linda and Michelle Marquette; and one aunt Maysel Guenther of Minneapolis, Minnesota. He was preceded in death by his father and mother Oscar and Betty Guenther; one brother Larry Guenther; and one nephew Craig Howes Jr. A visitation will be held on Saturday, October 6, 2007, from 2:00 until 4:00 p.m. at the CONGDON FUNERAL HOME, 3012 Sheridan Road, Zion. A memorial service with full military honors will be follow at 4:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Memorial donations to either the Veterans Hospital Hospice unit, or, American Cancer Society have been suggested.