Richard Lee Youngman was born June 22, 1935 as the oldest child of Lee H. and Christina (Kezely) Youngman and was raised and attended school in Du Quoin, Illinois.
As a young man he lived in Ohio, where he married and had two children, Cheryl (Sherry Gilliam) and Rodney (Rod Youngman). He later migrated west, where he lived and managed a ranch in California. There he remarried and had his youngest child, Jacqueline Cynthia (Cindy Whitley). He eventually returned to the Midwest living and raising all three children together in Coello, Illinois and then Du Quoin, Illinois.
On March 14, 1981 he married Cathy Jones of Tamaroa and they remained lovingly and happily married and living in Du Quoin until his passing.
Rich worked in construction, spent 20 years as a coal miner at Amax, and retired from the Operating Engineers Union in 2000. Rich was a busy, ambitious, and entrepreneurial man of many talents. His many enterprises included antennae construction, wood burning stoves, selling UMWA articles (including a decanter depicting a miner for which he posed), Hambeltonian and World Trotting Derby belt buckles, and the limousine business. Rich was also renowned for his bargain hunting- buying and selling at auctions, estate sales, and flea markets far and wide. His expertise and care in procuring and restoring vintage Coca-Cola machines and Whizzer Motorbikes was unmatched.
Rich was a member of The First Christian Church in Du Quoin, as well as the Masonic Lodge of Tamaroa, the Elks, VFW, and American Legion.
Rich was generous with a joke, a cup of coffee, a big smile and a story (perhaps a retelling one of his countless escapades as personal valet for Rudolf "Minnesota Fats" Wanderone). Rich was a loving husband, father, brother, uncle, grandfather, great-grandfather, and great-great-grandfather. He will missed by all.
Rich is survived by his wife Cathy (Jones) Youngman of Du Quoin. Children Cheryl Gilliam, Rod (Jill) Youngman,  & Cindy (Dale Jones) Whitley. Grandchildren Brittany Murry, Garrett (Alicia) Gross, Jordan (Andrew) Parr, Madison Whitley, Cody Youngman, & Camden Youngman as well as 8 great-grandchildren and 2 great-great grandchildren. Siblings Carolyn Robinson, Judy (Charlie) Loos, Patricia Moschino. He also leaves numerous nieces, nephews, brothers-in-law, a sister-in-law, and friends.
Rich was predeceased by his parents, brothers Donald, Jack, and Bill Youngman, and sisters Connie Horst and Beverly Parker.
In lieu of flowers friends may kindly contribute to the Tamaroa Cemetery Association, and donations will be accepted at the funeral home.
Visitation will be from 9 A.M. until 12 P.M., Tuesday, February 25, 2025 at the Searby Funeral Home in Du Quoin.
Masonic service will be at 12:00 P.M., Tuesday at the Searby Funeral Home in Du Quoin with a funeral service following conducted by Rev. Amanda Groves.
Burial will be in the Tamaroa Cemetery in Tamaroa, IL at a later time.