Richard “Pete” Lee Powell, 78, of Danville, IL, passed away peacefully on July 12, 2026, at Saint Elizabeth Hospital in O’Fallon, IL, after a courageous health battle. Pete was born on October 23, 1947, in Danville, IL, to Clyde O’Neil Powell and Alma Jean Powell (Savage).
If you knew Pete, you knew laughter. He never met a stranger because, before long, everyone became a friend. He loved making people smile, always had a story to tell, and if he could get you laughing, his day was made. He’d also be the first to tell you he was a “chick magnet.”
Pete served in the Army National Guard during the Vietnam era. He began his career with Illinois Bell before following his passion and starting his own heavy equipment operating business. If you ever watched him work, you knew he was one heck of an equipment operator.
Pete could usually be found at VIPs Restaurant, having coffee, sharing stories, and plenty of laughter with the same group of friends as they solved the world’s problems.
As a Senior Ride Captain with the Patriot Guard Riders, Pete dedicated countless hours honoring veterans, active-duty military members, first responders, and their families. The Patriot Guard became much more than an organization—it became family.
More than anything, Pete was a devoted father and an incredibly proud Papa. During his years with the family, he embraced the role of father to three girls. Although circumstances changed over time, his love and concern for all of them never faded. Nothing brought him greater joy than being Dad to Katie and Papa Pete to Olin, Otto, and Arden.
Pete was preceded in death by his parents.
He leaves behind his daughter, Kathryn “Katie” (Cole) Elder of Coulterville, Illinois; his former stepdaughters, Brooks Bennett-Miller and Blair Bennett-Colella, whom he continued to love deeply; three cherished grandchildren, Olin, Otto, and Arden Elder; his sister, Debbie (Joe) Heleine of Fairmount, Illinois; niece, Brandi (Nathan) Schmidt of Zionsville, Indiana; nephew, Philip Heleine of Fithian, Illinois; three great-nieces; and his best friend and true love, Trudy Pickett of Danville, Illinois, who undoubtedly deserves all the praise for putting up with Pete through the years. Pete measured his life by the friends he made, the laughter he shared, and the family he loved. We are all better for having known him.
Pete’s wish was to have a celebration of life filled with laughter, friendship, and love.
Celebration will be Saturday, August 8, 2026, at 9:30am at East Park Church of Christ; 1244 East Voorhees St., Danville, IL 61832.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Schildknecht Funeral Home.
