11-16-2021 2:05pm

"Don't quit!": Richard J. Tierney (1936-2021) led his family with quiet conviction

Michael McGinnis Editor

Richard J. Tierney, 85, of Roscoe passed away on November 11, 2021, Veterans Day. Born in Sioux City, Iowa, Dick married his love, Bernice “Bea” Langel, shortly after serving in the Navy at Camp Pendleton. They were married for 55 years, until her death in 2013. They had six children in twelve years, who say they "enjoyed a simple childhood in Rockford, IL, wanting for nothing (other than for dad to turn left after church which meant we were going to the donut shop)." They remember how he tried to teach them electronics in the basement. Read more tributes from his children.

He worked for many years for GE as a skilled X-ray technician, and was even more successful in insurance and electronics sales. The last words he spoke were “Don’t quit!”

He is survived by his kids, Karen, Steve (Susan), Dan (Kris), Michael and Joe (Tina); his five grandkids, Farrahn, Morgan, Tiffany, Jarrett, and Ryan; and his three great grandkids. He now joins his son Tommy, who died 61 years ago, and his wife Bea.

Funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, November 20, 2021 in Honquest Family Funeral Home with Crematory - Roscoe Chapel, 11342 Main Street, Roscoe with a visitation from 1:00 p.m. until time of service. Private family burial will be in Roscoe Township Cemetery.