Our Family Serving Your Family
Princeville, Dunlap, Brimfield, Edelstein, Laura, Monica
Also Serving The Wyoming & Toulon Areas

Obituary of Dr. Richard D. Guingrich  

Peoria Heights– Dr. Richard D. Guingrich, 68, of Peoria Heights, died at 2:30 a.m. on Tuesday, July 8, 2008, at OSF St. Francis Medical Center in Peoria, surrounded by his loving family. 

 He was born November 8, 1939, in Edelstein, the son of Doris Fehr and Edward Guingrich.  He married Nancy J. Burgess on May 11, 1962, in Peoria.

 She survives, along with his mother, Doris Guingrich, of Eureka; four sons, Richard M. (and Jessica) Guingrich of Peoria Heights, Anthony Shaun (and Wendy) Guingrich of Peoria, Adam J. Guingrich of Peoria, and Brendan T. (and Cherie) Guingrich of Peoria Heights; one daughter, Larissa R. Guingrich of Peoria Heights; grandchildren Ashley, Richard A., Chelsea, Maggie, Michael, Aidan, Alexandra, Elizabeth, Miranda, Ethan, and Tyler; three sisters, Carol (and Harold) Hohulin of Goodfield, Judy Cottrell of Eureka, and Rebecca (and Dennis) Pyles of Sparland; five brothers, Wayne Guingrich of Peoria, John (and Gwen) Guingrich of Chillicothe, Norman (and Cheryl) Guingrich of Chillicothe; Daniel (and Sandy) Guingrich of Indianapolis, and David Guingrich of Peoria; and one sister-in law, Sandy Guingrich of Michigan.  He was preceded in death by his father and one brother, Larry Guingrich.

 Richard graduated from Princeville High School, class of 1957, where he was class president and a member of the varsity football team, wearing #55.  He entered the U.S. Army in 1959 and served until 1962 where he was a member of the 10th medical detachment and 65th medical group. He was a supply officer stationed in South Korea and received a letter of commendation upon discharge.  He graduated in 1968 from Bradley University with a Bachelor of Science degree, majoring in chemistry.  He was elected to Phi Kappa Phi honor society in 1967 and worked throughout college at Pabst Brewery.  In 1972 Richard graduated first in his class with honors from the University of Illinois School of Dentistry in Chicago.  While in dental school he received the Alpha Omega fraternity award for highest scholastic standing for four years of dental study.  He served on the supreme council of Psi Omega fraternity.  He was named to the Omicron Kappa Epsilon honorary dental society in 1972 and was awarded the University of Illinois Kurtz-Spence Award in recognition of excellence of operative dentistry in 1972.  He completed his residency from 1972 – 1975 at Carle Clinic in Champaign/Urbana, specializing in oral maxillofacial surgery.

 Dr. Guingrich practiced as an oral maxillofacial surgeon in Peoria from 1976 until his death.  He was on staff at OSF St. Francis Medical Center, Methodist Medical Center, Proctor Hospital, and Eureka Hospital.  He was a member of the Illinois Dental Society and the Peoria Dental Society.  He also taught advanced cardiac life support from 1978 to 1989 in the central Illinois area. 

 He was a member of the Country Club of Peoria and Arrowhead Country Club.  He served on the board of the Apostolic Christian Skylines, Inc.  He loved his wife, his children, his grandchildren, his profession, Nascar, golf, and his 1952 MGTD.  He also loved Christmas and chocolate cream pie.

 Richard was a member of Sheridan Road Apostolic Christian Church, where services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, July 12, ministers of the church officiating.  Visitation will be from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Friday, July 11, at Cumerford-Hurd Funeral Home, 428 W. McClure, Peoria.  Visitation will also be from 9:00 to 9:45 a.m. on Saturday at the church.  Burial will be in Springdale Cemetery.

 Memorial contributions may be made to Siteman Cancer Center at Washington University, 660 S. Euclid Ave., St Louis, MO 63110, Illinois Oncology Research Associates, 8940 N. Wood Sage Road, Peoria, IL  61615, or St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital in Memphis.

 Hammitt-Hott Funeral Home, Princeville, is in charge of arrangements. 

Online condolences may be sent to the family by clicking here.