Richard Paul Braeckevelt, 78, of Geneseo, IL, passed away Wednesday, July 12th, 2023, with his wife by his side.

Private visitation was held on July 20th, 2023, at Van Hoe Funeral Home, East Moline, IL. Private services were held at St. Patrick's Catholic Church, Colona, IL: The Reverend Peter Zorgin officiating. Richard was laid to rest at St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery, East Moline, IL. Memorials and/or masses may be made to St. Patrick's Catholic Church or the Colona Fire Department.

Richard was born on September 30th, 1944, in Moline, IL; the only son to Paul and Aileen (Bekaert) Braeckevelt. Richard lived the majority of his life on the same corner, where he grew up; proudly called "Braeckevelt Corner". He graduated in 1962 from J.D. Darnell High School, Geneseo, IL.

Richard was united in marriage to Joyce E. Martinez, on a beautiful fall afternoon, on October 10th, 1981, in East Moline, IL. They held their wedding reception, at their home, in Geneseo.

Richard retired from John Deere Harvester Works, with 38 years of service as a supervisor. In past years Richard belonged to the John Deere Supervisors Club, Musky Club and Ducks Unlimited.

Richard loved the outdoors, fishing, hunting, working on his cars, gardening and feeding the birds that came to visit every morning. Richard's last fishing trip was with his son Michael, sitting on the deck of our house, casting his fishing pole out into the backyard. Oh how he enjoyed that.

Richard was a soft spoken gentleman, who loved his Catholic upbringing and his family deeply. Those left to cherish his memory and legacy include his wife of 41 years, Joycie, their son Michael Richard Braeckevelt and his wife Amanda, his daughter Cristine Brouillette and her husband Dan, and 5 grandchildren. His sisters: Beverly (William) Buckley, and Patricia (Jim) Bond. Brothers and sister-in-law: Steven and Linda Martinez, and Frank Martinez. And many nieces and nephews.

Richard is preceded in death by his parents and his father and mother-in-law Frank and Helen Martinez, who loved him so.

"Sweetheart, when I look back to the day we met, I still see the beginning of my favorite love story. You are my always and forever, my happily ever after, my dream come true, my husband, my everything."

I love you,

Joycie