Carl Richard "Dick" Presley Obituary (1932 - 2015)

Carl Richard Dick Presley, 82, of Warrensburg, IL died at 10:50 a.m. on Sunday, November 15, 2015 at Heritage Health in Normal, surrounded by his family.Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, November 19, 2015 at Warrensburg United Methodist Church, 185 N. Main St, Warrensburg, IL 62573. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. on Wednesday at Carmody-Flynn Funeral Home, Bloomington and one hour prior to services at the church in Warrensburg on Thursday. Entombment will be at 2:15 p.m. on Thursday at East Lawn Memorial Gardens Mausoleum, Bloomington. Memorials may be made to the Warrensburg United Methodist church or the Warrensburg Lions Club. The family requests casual attire.To express condolences online, please visit www.carmodyflynn.com.Dick was born at home on November 23, 1932 in Bloomington, the son of Carl D. and Blanche Stanley Presley. He married Joann A. Campbell on October 2, 1954 in Bloomington.Surviving are his wife, Joann A. Presley of Normal; his children, Barb Curtis of CO, Rick Presley of Las Cruces, NM, Carol (Paul) Jones, Steve (Regina) Presley and Jim (Deb) Presley, all of Bloomington; his grandchildren, Sara (Jeromy) Kessinger, Bryan (Michelle) Trunnell, Maryea Presley, Matt (Alisha) Jones, Payten Morgan Presley and nine great-grandchildren. Also surviving are his sister, Diana (Steve) Wheeler, Normal and sisters-in-law, Betty Presley of Normal and LaVonne Presley of Schaumburg and many nieces, nephews and cousins.He was preceded in death by his parents, Carl D. and Blanche Presley; brothers, Leonard, David and Don Presley and one grandson, Quinten Presley.During his youth, Dick won the first Soap Box Derby held in Bloomington. His derby car was made of wood and an old Coke sign. While in Bloomington High School, he joined the 44th Division of the Illinois National Guard. The Guard sent him to Leadership school and on to active duty in February 1952. He served in Ansbach, Germany and was assigned to do radio repair. While in Germany he witnessed the devastation that Europe endured during the 2nd World War and the hostilities inflicted on all nations.Following his discharge, Dick resumed working for Eisner food stores, a career that began in 1948 with Piggly Wiggly when he was 16. He then married Joann and they had five children. Over the next 37 years Dick opened and managed 14 stores for Piggly Wiggly, Eisner and Jewel across Central Illinois. He was an active volunteer for five different agencies within the United Way. Following his retirement, Dick and Joann purchased a store in Warrensburg, Dicks Food Center. After 12 years they sold the store, but Dick continued to work.Dick was very active in Warrensburg. He served as a Village Clerk and was instrumental in erecting the Village Veterans Monument. He was a member of the Warrensburg United Methodist Church serving as an usher, mowing the grass, or plowing the snow. As a member of the Warrensburg Lions Club he established the Brotherhood Tree and recently received the Presidents Award for Leadership.Dick was very proud of his family history, which he spent countless hours documenting. He took yearly trips to decorate the graves of his ancestors in both Oklahoma and Raleigh, Illinois. Accompanied by his son-in-law, Paul, Dick looked forward to the yearly trips to Raleigh, and made it very clear that it was his wish that these trips continue after he passed.Dick was a very proud man with a huge heart. He was always concerned about the well-being of his family and friends.