Richard James Hester

Richard was a 2002 graduate of Central High School in Martinsburg, Pennsylvania; he furthered his education graduating Rend lake Trucking School and the St. Louis County Security Officer Academy. He was a certified diver and a probationary diver with O’Fallon Underwater Search and Recovery Team. He worked for Forensic Investigations as an investigator and was a Personal Protection Specialist. He enjoyed geocaching under the handle unc-jimmy. He was a member of the St. Clair County Reserve Deputy Association, avid shooter, hunter, and fisherman. He lived by the motto “Don’t Tread on Me”.

He was preceded in death by his father, Jimmy L. Hester, his fraternal grandfather, Earl D. Hester, maternal grandparents; Luther and Dora, nee Southerd, Hutchcraft, and an aunt Fonda Brown.

Surviving are his mother, Tonna Hester, nee Hutchcraft, a sister, Stephenie Hester of Caseyville, Illinois, maternal grandmother, Imogene Hester, nee Edson, a nephew, Jimmy Lee Fowler, a niece, Jacee Fowler, aunts and uncles; Dan (Jan) Hester, Sherry Hester, and Gary Brown, cousins; Hailey White and Nicole Brown, two great uncle, Gail Southerd and Dale Southerd, dear friends; Skip and Cindy Mize, and his dear blood hound buddy, Bella Mae.

Memorials are appreciated to the Second Amendment Foundation or Backstoppers. Memories and expressions of condolences may be made at www.lakeviewfuneralhm.com

Visitation: Friends may call from 4-8 pm, Sunday, October 26, 2014 at Lake View Funeral Home, Fairview Heights, Illinois.

Funeral: Funeral services will be held at 10:00 am, Monday, October 27, 2014 at Lake View Funeral Home, Fairview Heights, Illinois with Rev. howard D. "Skip" Mize officiating. Interment services will be private at Oakwood Cemetery, Mt. Vernon, Illinois.