Richard Snell

CARBONDALE - Richard “Rick” Snell, 83 passed away peacefully on Tuesday, January 13, 2026 at home surrounded by his loving family.

Rick was born September 6, 1942 to Woodrow (Woody) Snell and Ollie (Marie) Snell (Simmons) in Thebes Illinois. He married the love of his life, Imajean Snell (Meggs) on June 15, 1962 in Thebes, Illinois.

Rick had a passion for almost everything outdoors. From working to playing. Being on large equipment tearing down, building up, or creating something to being out in nature fishing, hunting, and just relaxing. He has a beloved hunting cabin that in later years was not used for hunting anymore but for relaxing and spending time with the ones he cared about. He started to enjoy watching the deer more than hunting them.

Ricks biggest passion was his family. He loved his family but most of all he loved his wife and daughter. Jean was everything to him and they were inseparable until she passed April 15, 2020. From fishing trips, to exploration trips with a camera, to Hawaii and Massachusetts. Always together, always supporting each other, always being in love. They were high school sweethearts and no matter the struggles or even being torn from each other for Rick to go to Vietnam, they remained committed to each other.

Rick and Jean were blessed with a daughter in August of 1973. That became their focus to make sure she was loved, taken care of, and never had to worry where she belonged.

Rick is survived by his daughter Cynthia (Danny) Chester of Carbondale and his cherished sister-in-law and closest friend Janet Meggs of Murphysboro. He also has numerous family members from both his and Jeans side, from brother and sister in laws, to nieces and nephews. He always enjoyed getting together to see how everyone was doing and share old stories.

He was preceded in death by his wife, parents, and brother.

Services for Rick will be held at 1:00pm on Sunday, January 18, 2026 at Meredith Funeral Home in Carbondale. Burial will follow in Rose Hill Cemetery in Thebes with Military Honors. Visitation will be from 12:00pm until the time of service on Sunday at the funeral home.

Memorials may be made in Rick's name to the Alzheimer's Association and will be accepted at the funeral home. Meredith Funeral Home in Carbondale is in charge of arrangements. To leave a story or memory of Rick visit www.meredithfh.com.