Richard E. Tite, 70, of Rosewood Heights passed away at 6:46 pm Tuesday, November 24, 2020 at Alton Memorial Hospital.
He was born May 14, 1950, in Wood River, IL to Arthur and Theresa (Bradley) Tite.
He married Sherry Mead on May 13, 1984 in Godfrey, she survives.
In addition, they have two daughters, Michelle(Tim) Albright and Ashley Tite, of Rosewood Heights; one son, Jordan Tite of Ft. Lauderdale, FL; two grandchildren, Sophie and Christian Albright of East Alton; two brothers and sister in laws, Eddie(Mary Kay) Tite of East Alton; Art(Patty) Tite of Wood River; one sister, Rose Tite of East Alton; one brother in law, Rich Hahnenkamp of Holiday Shores; one brother in law and 2 sister in laws, Virgil and Marcy Mead of Brighton; and Sharla Withers, of Stuart, FL; his mother in law and her husband, Sharon(Ted) Sperry of Stuart, FL; and mother in law, Diane Mead, of Godfrey and several nieces and nephews.
He was proceeded in death by his parents; three brothers, Ronnie, Larry and Michael Tite; one sister, Janet Hahnenkamp; father in law, Ron Mead; sister in law, Linda Tite; and brother in law, Kenny Heater.
Richard served in the US Army in the communication and artillery units. He was awarded the National Defense Service Medal. At a young age he had several paper routes and began selling turtles for turtle soup in the neighborhood starting his entrepreneurship. He began his career as a bar owner in 1971 when he purchased his first establishment naming it Richard’s, on Fosterburg Road in Alton, IL, later expanding to what would become The Club. In 1988, he purchased The Airliner Bar and Grill in Rosewood Heights, IL, which he still owned. In 1999, he, his brother, Eddie Tite and his nephew, Marty Tite opened The Franchise Sports Bar and Grill.
Richard was very well known and liked in the community. Customers came for his sarcasm and stayed for the food and drinks. They always knew he’d be at the card table with family and close friends. He was often referred to as a big bear, grizzly on the outside, teddy on the inside. But once you knew him, you loved him. To his children he was a hero, to many he was a friend and mentor, to his wife, he was the love of her life. Their favorite thing to do together was to travel.
A celebration of Richard’s life will be held at The Airliner on Saturday, November 28, 2020, from 3 p.m. – 8 p.m. Memorials may to be made to a mental health organization of your choice.
Marks Mortuary in Wood River is in charge of arrangements.
