Richard Leroy ‘Rich’ Stewart, 74, of Hillsboro, Illinois, passed away as the result of an accident on Friday, July 24, 2026. Services for Rich will be held Thursday, July 30 at Calvary Baptist Church in Hillsboro, Illinois. Visitation will now take place from 9:00a.m. – noon. followed by the funeral service at noon. Pastor Mike Plummer will officiate. Burial will be a Wares Grove Cemetery, in rural Butler.
Born in Hillsboro, Illinois September 26, 1951, to Vester Louis and Ellen Maxine (nee Mutchler) Stewart, Rich attended local schools and graduated with the Hilltoppers Class of 1969. He continued his education at Southeast Missouri State University, where he earned his master’s degree in exercise science. A gifted athlete, he played college football and carried his passion for sports into a lifelong career of teaching nd
coaching.
He married the love of his life, Margaret Reck, on July 27, 1971, at St. Agnes Catholic Church in Hillsboro, Illinois. Together they raised two children and built a life centeredon faith, family, and community. She survives.
Rich dedicated his career to shaping young lives as a teacher and coach, working with students from kindergarten through college level. Whether serving as a physical education teacher, driver’s education instructor, building trades teacher, referee, or coach, he was known for being tough but fair. He expected the best from those he coached because he believed in their potential. His commitment to young people earned him many honors, including Coach of the Year nomination by the Chicago
Bears, induction into the Hillsboro Sports Association Hall of Fame, and involvement with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes.
His love for his community extended far beyond the classroom. He proudly served as a volunteer firefighter for Taylor Springs and worked as summer help for the city of Hillsboro. A devoted member of Calvary Baptist Church, he faithfully portrayed a shepherd in the church’s Nativity scene and participated on mission trips to Mexico, Guadalupe, and Juarez. His faith was evident not only through his service but also
through the many acts of kindness he quietly performed for others, often without seeking recognition.
Rich lived his life with enthusiasm. He was vibrant, kindhearted, bullheaded, and just the right amount of crazy. A lifelong animal lover, he had horses from the time he was a boy and remained passionate about horseback riding throughout his life. As a member of the Luck and Buck Saddle Club, he enjoyed countless hours in the saddle. He and
Margaret also loved traveling to Jr/HS rodeos, first with their children and later with their granddaughter, making memories together across the country.
When he wasn’t cheering from the sidelines or riding horses, Rich enjoyed mowing the lawn, spraying paint, listening to Cardinals baseball, and spending weekends watching football.
Above all, his greatest source of pride and joy was his family. Though he loved his hometown, his students, and every team he coached, nothing meant more to him than the people he loved.
Preceding him in death are his parents, Vester & Ellen, and sister, Marie Mueller.
He is survived by his wife, Margaret of Hillsboro; son, Jason (Nikki Jo) Stewart of Bristow, Oklahoma; daughter, Jennifer Branum, of Taylorville; granddaughter, Madelyn Branum of Edinburg; siblings, Shelley (Mark) Woolard of Nokomis,, Jack (Amy) Stewart of Girard, Paula Hook of California; sister-in-law, Libby Brown of Coffeen; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family and friends.
Memorials in Rich’s honor may be mailed to:
Fellowship of Christian Athletes, c/o Greenville University, 315 E. College Avenue, Greenville, Illinois 62246.
Calvary Baptist Church, 1001 Rountree St., Hillsboro, Illinois 62049.
The Family, 1119 School Street, Hillsboro, Illinois 62049.
