Richard "Dick" Sarver

Richard (Dick) Sarver, 90, of Pecatonica, IL passed away on August 11, 2023 after a long illness.  He was born in rural Pecatonica on March 5, 1933 to parents Rayme and Irene Sarver.  Graduate of Pecatonica High School, class of  1951.  Dick married his high school sweetheart, Dixie Mitchell on September 2, 1951 and would have celebrated 72 years of marriage.  Together they have always lived in the Pecatonica/Winnebago area.  They farmed the family farm in Burritt Township from 1951 until 1971.  Then they moved north of Pecatonica and he began to operate a milk route for Midwest Dairymans until 1979.  After that, he began his career as an Insurance Agent for Ferguson Financial Group where he retired from after 30 years.  He was a devoted Husband, Father, Grandfather, Great Grandfather, Brother, Uncle, and friend to many.  Friends were made in all the years of farming, the milk route, with insurance clients, participating in softball, bowling, golfing, the Pecatonica Old Car Club, and enjoying coffee while solving the world’s problems at various local restaurants.  He loved his old cars, especially Packards and Studebakers.  He loved watching sports, but especially his favorite baseball team, the St. Louis Cardinals.  He actively supported his community by being involved in various organizations, such as 4H, Pecatonica PTA, Burritt Museum including acting as MC and Chairman for the Burritt Community Trask Bridge Picnic Revisited, and serving 14 years as a Trustee for the Pecatonica Fire District.  Dick was known for his integrity, hard work ethic, great sense of humor with his funny quips and sayings, hearty laugh, and tremendous love for his family.  He loved telling stories of his days on the farm with his loyal dog Duke, tales of his milk route days and the kids he’d recognize from his route years later as grown adults, as well as the countless insurance clients who became friends over the years.  He loved to tinker in his garage on his collector cars and lawn tractors, teaching the grandkids and great grandkids how to change the oil and grease the tractor when he could.  He is survived by his wife, Dixie; Daughter, Susan “Becky” (Scott) Griffeth; grandchildren: Chad Norberg(Heather Belknap), Kyle (Marcy) Griffeth, Nick (Amanda) Griffeth, Bethany (Brandon) Kleiner, Erin Finch (Terry Peterson), Jared (Dala) Griffeth; Great Grandchildren: Darren (Lily) Griffeth, Zailey (Aaron) Miller, Alex, Evan, Carson, Arianne, Zacq, Mason, Lily, Emelia, Jack, Zeke, & Preston; as well as a large extended family of dear nieces, nephews, and cherished friends, the Jerry Palm family.  Preceded in death by parents Rayme & Irene Sarver; sister and brother-in-law Donna & Robert McNamara; and beloved daughter Deborah Sarver.  Please join the family and friends for a Celebration of Life luncheon on Sunday, September 17, 2023 from 1 – 5 p.m. at Burritt Grange Hall, 8284 Trask Bridge Road, Rockford, IL.  Affordable Cremation & Funeral Service of Belvidere, IL assisted the family.  Share a memory or condolence at www.affordablecremationbelvidere.com.

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