CREAL SPRINGS -- Richard L. Gilliam, 73, died Friday, Feb. 1, 2013, in Landmark Hospital in Cape Girardeau. He was born May 25, 1939, to William and Louis (Pierce) Gilliam in Du Quoin. He married Mary Frances Mercer on Jan. 3, 1959. Richard proudly served his country as a chief petty officer in the U.S. Navy for more than 20 years. He worked at the VA Medical Center as a maintenance foreman for 11 years and donated much of his time to the Poshard Foundation for Abused Children. Richard also loved coin collecting and woodworking. Survivors include his wife, Frances Gilliam of Creal Springs; a son, Richard Gilliam of Ava; two daughters, Juli (Ed) Roznowski of Du Quoin and Susan (Patrick) Lockhart of Creal Springs; grandchildren, Kevin, Kris, Kory, Richard, Alex, Christian and Elizabeth; great-grandchildren, Alexis, Cameron, Jayson and Addison; two sisters, Sherry Dunn of Du Quoin and Janet Mydler of Pinckneyville; nieces and nephews; other relatives; and many friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; and a brother, William Gilliam. Memorial services will be at 1 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 23, in Crain Funeral Home Egyptian Chapel in Energy with Glenn Poshard delivering the eulogy. Inurnment will be private in Egyptian Memorial Gardens Mausoleum. Visitation will be from noon to 1 p.m. Saturday at the funeral chapel. Memorials may be made to the Poshard Foundation for Abused Children or St. Francis Animal Shelter in Murphysboro and will be accepted at the funeral home. To leave online condolences, visit www.crainsonline.com.