Richard T. Conley

Richard T. Conley, known affectionately as Dick, passed away on March 10, 2026, at his home in Maryville, Illinois, at the age of 85.

Born on September 22, 1940, in Flora, Illinois, to Richard and Kathryn Conley, Dick graduated from Flora High School in 1958. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Education from Eastern Illinois University in 1962 and a Master of Science in Education from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville in 1966. He devoted his career to education, teaching technology education and electronics while coaching track and cross country at Triad High School in Troy, Illinois. Earlier in his career, he taught in Donovan and Shelbyville, Illinois. Dick found deep fulfillment in teaching and mentoring young people both in the classroom and on the track.

Beyond his professional life, Dick maintained a lifelong passion for music and running. He played drums in various bands for more than four decades and was an avid runner who completed numerous road races, marathons, and ultramarathons.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother and sister-in-law John and Barbara Conley, their daughter Julie Cutright, and his brother-in-law Michael Harvey. Dick is survived by his sister, Lora Kay Harvey of Cookeville, Tennessee, and his four nephews: Stuart Conley and his wife Sara of Fayetteville, North Carolina; Douglas Harvey of Pensacola, Florida; Richard Harvey and his wife Julie of Franklin, Tennessee; and Jerry Cutright of Charleston, Illinois. In keeping with his wishes, he was cremated and a private burial will take place at Elmwood Cemetery in Flora, Illinois.