To our family, friends and extended family of colleagues:
Surrounded by family and in the comfort of his home, Richard W. McGraw (67) of Litchfield, IL passed away on Wednesday, March 7, 2018, after complications from Heart Failure.
Born and raised in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, he shared a loving upbringing with two brothers, a sister and an extended family of cousins, aunts, uncles and friends. Paper routes, the Roxy and family gatherings at the Cottage laid a structure for the most important thing in his life: family.
After taking a job as a crew member while in High School at a McDonald’s in Wisconsin, he and his wife, Dona, built the foundation of their life in Litchfield, IL with the first McDonald’s of their own. They started in a small two-bedroom apartment with a Chevy Vega Hatchback. With hard work and perseverance, he built not only a loving home for his children but dozens of businesses where opportunity was abundant for others. He dedicated his life to his businesses, the communities in which they were part of and most of all, the people within them.
He was the epitome of living life to the fullest. And somehow effortlessly accomplished that without ever comprising his values.
A lover of yard work, brandy old fashioned’s, bar time, the Green Bay Packers, Archie Bunker, a hard worker, his grandchildren, splitting a beer, a fashionable sweater (St. Croix to be exact), “getting some sun,” the golf course, Joel Osteen, car time with Mason and Sunday family dinners.
His fight with Scleroderma and Heart Failure was met with the only two adjectives that would describe his will in general: grit and determination. Never one to complain or let anyone worry about him, he never wanted to let anyone know the situation he may have known he was in all along. But as he would say, it is what it is.
His spirit is carried on by his wife, Dona; Children: Jenna (Rich) Beyers; Mike (Juliana) McGraw; Christa McGraw; Grandchildren: Mason, Eli, Connor, Addelyn, Bryce, Grace; Siblings: Charles (Darcy) McGraw and Kathy (Jim) Meisel and an extended family of relatives, friends and employees from all walks of life.
Dad is now reunited with his father, mother, brother and other family, friends and loved ones. We know in our hearts he is excited to be home and is enjoying the party that is heaven.
We invite you to celebrate his life with us this coming Tuesday, March 13 with a visitation at Holy Family Catholic Church in Litchfield, IL from 2-7 PM followed by the funeral service on Wednesday, March 14 at 10 AM. Burial will be in Edgewood Cemetery in Litchfield, IL.
Memorials can be made out to the Ronald McDonald Charities of Springfield, IL (610 North 7th, Springfield, IL 62702), HSHS St. John’s Foundation (800 East Carpenter Street, Springfield, Illinois 62729) or HSHS St. Francis Foundation (1215 Franciscan Drive, Litchfield, Illinois 62056) to benefit patient care needs in the areas of cardiac, hospice and children’s health.
Throughout his lifetime, Rick was in involved in countless organizations and boards and was the recipient of several awards and accolades, to name a few:
Current Chairman of the Board for the Hospital Sister Healthcare System Foundation (Vice Chairman-2010; Board of Directors-2009); Coaches vs. Cancer Las Vegas Golf Classic; 1981 Ronald Award; 1983 Golden Arch Award Winner (given at that time every two years to the top six McDonald’s operators in the world); McDonald’s Place Team and Development, Chairman – Chicago Region; McDonald’s “Create the Future” Committee (2000); St. Louis Regional Owner/Operators Advisory Board Chairman (96); McDonald’s National Operators Advisory Board (82-88); McDonald’s Task Force Member (88); St. John’s Hospital Quality Care Committee (96-98); Lincoln Land Community College Foundation Board Member (95-98); Baymont Inn Franchise Advisory Council (Chairman-2003; Vice-Chairman-2002; Secretary of Board-2001; Council Director-2000-03); St. Francis Hospital Board of Directors (87-95); Litchfield High School Weight Room funding; Funded various scholarships including the Ray Kroc Youth Achievement Scholarship and Middle School Scholar Athlete Award; McDonald McTeacher Nights.
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February 9, 2012 at 10:22 PM ·
