65, Oblong, IL
VISITATION: 4:00pm – 7:00pm Friday, September 30, 2016 at Pulliam Funeral Home in Oblong, IL.
CELEBRATION OF RICH’S LIFE: 11:00am Saturday, October 1, 2016 at Pulliam Funeral Home, Oblong, IL. Burial will following in the Oblong Cemetery, Oblong, IL.
The family request that an expression of sympathy may take the form of contributions to the Evangelical United Methodist Church of Oblong Furnace Fund or to The Muscular Dystrophy Association. Envelopes available at or can be mailed to Pulliam Funeral Home P.O. Box 121, Oblong, IL 62449.
Richard Carey “Rich” Slocum went to be with his Lord and Savior on Monday September 26, 2016.
Rich was born on December 6, 1950 in Searcy, AR, and was the son of Floyd Benjamin Slocum and Dessie Pearl (Allen) Slocum.
Rich started working at Kmart in Mattoon, IL, and then at the Robinson Computer Systems. He later taught English and Composition at Lincoln Trail College for 17 years. He was a member of the Evangelical United Methodist Church of Oblong, IL, and member of the OHS Class of 1968. He graduated from Eastern Illinois University in 1974 with a Bachelor and two years later with two Masters Degrees.
Rich enjoyed watching Jeopardy and only rarely did he not know an answer and he won first place at the Oblong Community Club Trivial Pursuit Competition in 1984. He also enjoyed watching old movies, listening to music and, in early years, playing his guitar. Rich also enjoyed singing with the Slocum Family Singers. Rich was a repository of knowledge for the entire Slocum family. He was the “Google” before Google.
Rich is survived by a brother and sister-in-law, William K. “Bill” and Becky Slocum, Lebanon, TN; two sisters and brother-in-law, Phyllis and Larry Henry, Oblong, IL, and Judith Mae Slocum, Oblong, IL, with whom he made his home. He is also survived by several nieces and nephews: Pam Henry, Joe Henry and wife Nikki, Bill Henry, Jodi Henry Wiman and husband Jeff, and Carrie Sablone and great nieces and nephews Ian and Tristan Sablone and Kristin and Raegan Henry all of Oblong, IL.
Preceding Rich in death were his parents Floyd and Dessie (Allen) Slocum and one niece Amy Lynn Slocum.
“Never again will we hear him correctly answer every single question on Jeopardy; never again will we hear the clever quips that just poured out of him; never again will we be simply astonished at the knowledge that he had; never again will we hear that laugh when he got tickled at something. But, as hard as that is to wrap our brains around right now, we also know that it is ok. It’s ok because we know that he is happy there with Grandma and Grandpa and so many others. It’s ok because he is now a part of the angel choir. It’s ok because not only is he walking on the Streets of Gold, but he’s also walking for the first time in decades without pain or limitations. It’s ok because he knew Jesus and he was ready to go and meet Him.”
Condolences and or memories may be sent to the family at www.oblongfuneralhome.com
Pulliam Funeral Home Oblong, IL is in charge of arrangements.
