By Jim Meridith
Posted: Updated:
3 Comments
  • Visitation

    Monday, September 23, 2019 from 6PM to 8PM at the First Christian Church of West Salem, IL

  • Service

    Tuesday, September 24, 2019 at 10AM at the church.

  • Full Obituary

    Amos R. Bristow, age 85, of rural Albion, IL passed from this life to the next on September 20, 2019 at his home, surrounded by his family.
    Known by most as Richard, he was born on January 18, 1934 to Amos and Lulu (Stafford) Bristow in Olney. He married Patricia “Pat” Summerfield on April 4, 1954 at the First Christian Church in West Salem and they celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary this year.
    Richard was preceded in death by his parents, daughter, Vicki Schwarzlose, two sons-in-law, David Headley and Jerry Joe McVaigh and two sisters, Evalou Bossetto and Mary Ruth Bunting.
    Richard made many memories with those who survive, and they include: his wife Pat, of rural Albion, two daughters, Barb McVaigh of Olney, IL and Kathy (Dan Griefzu) Headley, of rural Albion, son-in-law, Don Schwarzlose of Mt. Carmel, IL, eight grandchildren: Krista (Brian) Mehrtens, Kelby (Stephanie) Schwarzlose, Andy (Beth) Schwarzlose, Misty (Keith) Collard, Tanya (Toby) Leaf, Marcus (Danielle) McVaigh, Matthew (Stacey) Maidlow and Nicklas (Laura) Maidlow. Memories were also made with 22 great-grandchildren.
    Richard was an avid quail hunter in his younger days and later in life, thoroughly enjoyed spending time on the golf course. He and Pat also raised and showed St. Bernard dogs for over 30 years. He was an active member of the First Christian Church of West Salem all his adult life. Richard was a kind and good-hearted man who quietly helped many people over the years and will be fondly remembered by those individuals. His daughters agreed that they were abundantly blessed to have “the best Dad”!
    A public visitation for friends to greet his family will be held on Monday, September 23, 2019 from 6PM to 8PM at the First Christian Church, West Salem, IL.
    A Celebration of Life service will be held at the church on Tuesday, September 24, 2019 at 10AM, with burial to follow at Shiloh Cemetery in rural Samsville, IL.

    Memorials may be made to the Pine Haven Christian Children’s Ranch and envelopes will be provided at the church.
    Online condolences and fond memories of Richard may be left for the family at www.meridithfuneralhome.com
    Ingram-Meridith Funeral Home of West Salem is honored to be entrusted with the arrangements.

Condolences are reviewed and published within 24 hours.

3 Condolences
 
  1. dale foll / September 22, 2019 at 7:29 am

    mr. and mrs. bristow have been dear friends, neighbors and clients over the years my family and i lived in rural albion. the bristow’s kept an eye out for our little boys as they loved to explore and wander beyond our property and often roamed into the bristow’s back woods. logan is now 27 and in flagstaff az and luke is 24, married and living in nashville tn.

    i always enjoyed driving by and seeing richard’s “golf course” and his beautiful dogs.

    my sincere sympathies to pat and family as they memorialize his life and mourn his loss.

    dale foll

  2. Aline Berger / September 23, 2019 at 9:24 am

    Well there are just too many memories to share but each included a warm hug. Everything seems emptier without him. I wish comfort to Pat and the family. Love, Aline

  3. Sandra and Michael Schrand (Stacey’s parents), Kimberly and Brian Schlereth (Stacey’s sister and brother-in-law). / September 23, 2019 at 9:52 pm

    Our thoughts and prayers to Patricia, and all of Richard’s family. We are all part of Matt and Stacey Maidlow’s family. Stacey always spoke so highly of Richard. Through Stacey we knew him as a wonderful husband, father, and overall caring person. We know Richard left a strong legacy, and will be missed by many.

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