Richard Latham

Richard James “Dick” Latham, 90, of Hoopeston, IL, passed away at 9:19 A.M. Tuesday June 24, 2025, at his home. He was born July 29, 1934, in Great Falls, MT, the son of John Dee Theodore “Jack” and Lottie Sadie (Shikany) Latham. He married Sandra Doden on May 30, 1964, at the Community Bible Church in Butler, IN. She survives in Hoopeston.

He is also survived by one daughter, Vaughna (Roger) Allen of Hoopeston, IL; one son, Douglas (Kim) Latham of Carmel, IN; one sister, Ginnie Napier of Freeland, WA; eleven grandchildren, Natasha Allen and her husband, Bryan Hammond, Brenna Pantig, Aubrey Allen, Gabriel (Anya) Allen, Charis Allen, Elizabeth (Logan) Bedford, and Lauren, Rachel, William, Cole, and Kathryn Latham; and three great-grandchildren, Charles Bedford, Jade Pantig, and Evelyn Allen.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Ellias and Effie Shikany and Thomas and Hilda Latham; his parents, John and Lottie Latham; his twin brother, Ronald Latham; and one sister, Marion Chastain.

Dick was a school teacher at Maple School in Hoopeston and later taught at John Greer until his retirement. He was a member of the First Baptist Church in Hoopeston where he was a faithful adult Sunday school teacher since 1952 and was a powerful prayer warrior. In his younger years, he was an all-state band flautist. Dick’s hobbies included gardening, drawing, and painting, and he especially loved to read. He also loved to travel and take cruises and had visited Italy, Egypt, Israel, and all 50 states.

A visitation will be held 12:00 – 1:00 P.M. Monday, June 30, 2025, at the First Baptist Church, 323 Seminary Ave., Hoopeston, IL. The funeral service will follow the visitation and will begin at 1:00 P.M. Monday at the church, with Pastor Adam Taubert officiating. Burial will follow in Floral Hill Cemetery in Hoopeston.

Memorial donations may be made to the First Baptist Church Navigators, 323 Seminary Ave., Hoopeston, IL 60942.