Posted by formerchicagoan on December 22, 2009 at 09:41:05:
In Reply to: Rick McLaughlin - Another passing posted by formerchicagoan on December 21, 2009 at 10:03:51:
I obtained this from the funeral home's webpage, and am reposting it here for those who knew Rick.
Rick was both a member of my family and a broadcasting colleague. He will be missed.
Macomb- Russell Richard (Rick) McLaughlin, 47, passed away at 5:35 PM Saturday December 19, 2009 after a sudden Heart Attack in Pekin, IL. He was born November 27, 1962 in Macomb, IL and is the son of Russell Richard (Rick) McLaughlin II of Bondville, IL and Connie McKamy of Springfield, IL. He is survived by the love of his life, his nine year old son, Russell Yates (Yates) McLaughlin; Parents Rick and Connie; Grandmother Fran McLaughlin; two Brothers Jason and Clint; sister Dawn; his beloved ex wife and best friend Susie; Several Aunts, Uncles, Nephews, Nieces, Cousins and Friends. Rick also leaves behind his beloved friends Brian and Peggy Hughes, who loved and cared for him unconditionally. He is preceded in death by Grandfathers Robert McKamy and Russell Richard McLaughlin; Grandmother Gertrude Dosch and Cousin Kathryn Ruth. He Graduated from Macomb High School as Student Body President in 1981, graduated from Western Illinois University in 1995 and received his J.D. from Northern Illinois University Law School in 1998. He loved acting and singing in plays, and once had the lead role in the Mikado. He turned that into a very successful career in the Media. His accomplishments include radio shows, television news and magazine writing. He started his career at WKAI in Macomb at age Sixteen and went on to interview many celebrities including Michael Jordan with the Bulls every week for WGN radio. He had his own morning shows on WROK, WZOK and 95.3 in Rockford, Illinois. His favorite job was telling jokes and giving the news with his great friend and co-host Riley O?Neil. He also won several broadcasting awards including one for a documentary on the Vietnam War. Rick was assignment editor for WREX-TV, and wrote articles for Rockford Magazine. He went on to become an attorney, starting as an intern with the City of Rockford, and was a regional director for the Illinois Attorney General?s office in Rockford. He was a member of Christ United Methodist Church in Rockford, and he was a Stephen Minister. He enjoyed doing everything and anything with his son Yates. He had a passion for the Chicago Cubs and movies. He had the best sense of humor and could make you laugh no matter what the circumstance. Funeral Service will be held 3:00 PM Wednesday December 23, 2009 at the Dodsworth-Piper-Wallen Funeral Home where visitation will be two hours prior. Interment will be in the Oakwood Cemetery. The Reverend Jim Eddy will officiate, memorial contributions may be made to the Yates McLaughlin Education Fund. Please sign Guestbook at www.dodsworthfh.com