By Jim Meridith
Posted: Updated:
24 Comments
    • Service

      Celebration of Life

      Sunday, June 4, 2023

      4:00 to 7:00 pm

      Brad & Jean Korte's house

      2309 Park Hill Dr.

      Highland, IL

    • Full Obituary

      Rick C. Haldi, of Highland, IL, died Monday, May 1, 2023 at Anderson Hospital, Maryville, IL, with his family by his side.

      Rick was born February 2, 1947, to Charles H. and Mary (Nee Tschannen) Haldi, at St. Joseph Hospital, Highland, IL.  On October 23, 1993 he married Gail Dobbins in Memphis, TN.

      He loved to volunteer for Meals on Wheels and Help with NiCE.  He enjoyed working out regularly at Korte Rec. Center and meeting the guys for a men’s luncheon every month at Michael’s Restaurant.  He was an avid reader and loved to write poetry.  Rick was a gentle soul that really loved people and he was a true Gentleman.

      Rick was preceded in death by his parents, Charles and Mary Haldi.

      He is survived by his wife, Gail Haldi, Highland, IL; step-brothers, Nic (Mary) Korte, Grand Junction, CO, Brad (Jeannie) Korte, Highland, IL; step-sister, Jeannie (Scott) Korte, Highland, IL; several nieces and nephews.

      Memorials may be made to Meals on Wheels or the NiCE Foundation.

      Celebration of Life: Friends of Rick Haldi are invited to attend a Celebration of Life on Sunday, June 4, 2023, at the home of Brad & Jean Korte, 2309 Park Hill Dr., Highland, IL. Open House will be held from 4:00 to 7:oo pm. Light refreshments and beverages will be served. Come and share stories of how this kind, gentle man touched your life!

      Meridith Funeral Home, Highland, IL.

    Condolences are reviewed and published within 24 hours.

    24 Condolences
     
    1. Betsy Frisse / May 3, 2023 at 11:24 am

      My deepest sympathy to Mrs. Haldi and family. Mr. Haldi was such a wonderful person and I am so glad I had the pleasure of knowing him. I met him when riding the bus to St. Louis, and after retiring would see him at the Korte Rec Center, or walking, or at the store with Mrs. Haldi. He was always friendly and kind. He will be so very missed by any one who had the pleasure of knowing him.

    2. Kelly and John Wilhelm / May 3, 2023 at 12:32 pm

      Rick will be missed very much! He was always so much fun to work with at the NiCE Foundation in Highland. He’ll have he always had something nice to say and had a smile on his face. I will miss working with him very much Our condolences to his family and friends.

    3. Sue Messerli / May 3, 2023 at 12:38 pm

      Gail, my deepest sympathy to you! Rick was always smiling and did not know a stranger.
      I know he will be so missed by you and many in the community.

    4. Linda Schrage / May 3, 2023 at 4:30 pm

      Gail – Rick was a lovely kind soul to everyone he met! I am so sorry for your loss. Linda Schrage (Jeannie and Brad’s sister)

    5. Kent Iberg / May 3, 2023 at 4:50 pm

      My heart felt sympathy goes to you. Rick was a high school classmate who was three days older than me. While I have not seen Rick in many years I always remember him as one of the kindest, nicest and gentlest individuals in our class. Nothing but positive memories of Rick , , , ,

    6. Laurie / May 3, 2023 at 9:04 pm

      Gail, I offer my deepest sympathy. Volunteering with Rick for Meals on Wheels was always a joy. His kindness made me smile. When my husband and I would meet you and Rick at Korte Rec, our day just got better! Know that you are in my prayers.

    7. Suzie / May 4, 2023 at 11:53 am

      Gail, I am so very sorry for your loss. Rick was one of the good guys. I always enjoyed chatting with you both at the car shows on the square. Sending prayers, may you find comfort knowing how many people’s lives are better for knowing Rick.

      Suzie (Raymond) Wildhaber

    8. Donna Stoff / May 4, 2023 at 12:16 pm

      Gail and family. my thoughts and prayers are with you during this time. I volunteer for Meals on Wheels by scheduling the drivers. Rick rarely missed his scheduled. day to deliver meals and when asked to substitute for another driver his answer was always. “Yes.” I truly appreciated his dedication to the clients of Meals on Wheels. Rick will be missed. Love and Friendship Donna Stoff

      ‘

    9. Gerald & Pat Rottmann / May 6, 2023 at 3:00 pm

      Gail,
      You have our deepest sympathy. Rick was always friendly. He always had a smile and kind word for everyone. We would see you and Rick at the Korte Rec Center. You are in our thoughts and prayers.

    10. Andrea Spengel / May 6, 2023 at 4:15 pm

      Gail, I will miss you Rick and all our fun times. You were my neighbor, classmate, matchmaker and friend forever. So happy we had such good times over the last years. I will keep you both in my heart,

    11. Sandi Sweeney / May 6, 2023 at 6:53 pm

      Gail, I was so very saddened to learn of Rick’s death. I know my brother, Rick Moser, (now deceased) was a friend through school and respected him during the years that followed.
      I always saw Rick as kind, smart and so polite. I recently learned that he had been frequently exercising at Kortes and was trying to make a connection.
      Please accept my sincere and heartfelt sympathy.
      Sandi Sweeney

    12. Jim ronat / May 6, 2023 at 8:46 pm

      I have known Rick since early grade school. I have nothing but fond memories of Rick. We shared many laughs together and most recently at the Korte Rec center. Gail I am sorry for your lost.

    13. Pam Ulrich Lecerf / May 6, 2023 at 10:26 pm

      Rick was a classmate and was the kindest person anyone could meet. Never met a stranger, Always had a greeting and loved to chat. Our thoughts and prayers to Gail and family. RIP our dear classmate.

    14. Marylin McDevitt / May 7, 2023 at 4:50 pm

      Dear Gail and Family, you are in my thoughts and prayers. I remember when you and Rick met and married. You were such a cute couple and always very happy together. Whenever I would see you together, you both had big smiles. Your happy memories will keep Rick with you forever. He will be missed. May God Bless You and Comfort you… Peace, Marylin

    15. Denny and Jan Lang / May 7, 2023 at 9:38 pm

      Gail and family, Denny and I were very sorry to hear of Rick’s passing. We were so glad to hear when he recently survived the heart failure and the good work the Rec center did. Rick was truly a sweet guy and he will be remembered and missed.

    16. Debra Hoffman Ozias / May 8, 2023 at 7:41 pm

      So sorry to hear of Rick’s passing. He was my second cousin as well as a good friend at school and usher at our wedding 55 years ago. I can still hear him laugh.

    17. JR Potthast / May 9, 2023 at 7:24 am

      I will remember Rick as a lovely caring, gentle man. 1966/’68 His favorite song with our band the Chevrons was by the byrds: “feel a whole lot better”. I am playing it for him at this very moment in time. Love/ peace to you Rick.

    18. Kris Hoffman Kennedy / May 9, 2023 at 5:32 pm

      Sorry to hear of Rick’s passing. A great guy all around and wonderful cousin. He did have a great laugh.

    19. Curt Neudecker / May 10, 2023 at 11:08 am

      Curt Neudecker / May 10, 2023 at 10:50 A.M.

      I am so sorry to hear of Rick’s passing. I was a student teacher who helped with the football team when Rick was in high school. Frank Perkel was the coach and I remember how dedicated Rick was to the team. Practice time, game time, or any time, there was always positive optimism coming from Rick and always that smile. He was always such a kind soul and thinking more about his team mates rather then himself. I also knew Rick’s parents and often told them that I hoped my kids could grow up with the values, kindness, and happy smiling attitude that Rick had. Peace and comfort to you and your family!

    20. JOHN DUFT / May 11, 2023 at 1:31 pm

      I would see Rick several times most weeks at the Korte Rec Ctr. His warm smile and hearty greeting always brightened the day. He was one of the kindest people I have ever known. Rick was the ultimate gentleman, and I am proud that he called me his friend. He will be greatly missed.

    21. Dwight Frey / May 27, 2023 at 12:47 pm

      Gail and family: I am saddened to hear of Rick’s passing. My memories go back to my youth when we played Khoury league baseball together. He was always the, friendliest teammate and I have wonderful memories of those days. The thoughts and antidotes of those expressed already better describe him and my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. I wish that I could be home on the fourth to share with you and the family my memories. Nick, Brad and Jeannie best wishes to you and, again, my condolences.

    22. Betty A Shenkel / June 2, 2023 at 6:09 pm

      I just learned of Rick’s death today when I saw a card in Highland and I was deeply saddened. Rick and I first met when we worked for the Dept of Public Aid. We were in a car pool together for many years and later my husband was also in that car pool. One of my memories concerned a time when the roads were very slippery and our driver was unable to accelerate after picking Rick up. So, always the gentleman, Rick was pushing the car from the passenger side with the door open. Suddenly the car gained traction and the driver could not stop and Rick could not get in. He was running as fast as he could alongside the car, slipping and sliding all the way. Finally he was able to jump in and we laughed most of the way to work. All of my memories were of a kind and gentle man and I will miss seeing him from time to time out shopping. You have my deepest sympathy.

    23. John Barkley / June 16, 2023 at 9:56 pm

      I worked with Rick for years and often in a stressful environment. He always kept things in perspective and it was my pleasure to have known him. I’m not a poet as he was, but Rick’s personality and character always reminded me of Rudyard Kiplings poem “If”. My deepest condolences.

    24. Edward Irvin Jenny / July 26, 2023 at 8:23 am

      Rick was a lovely human being and he was my best friend when we were in school, stuck by me for many years through all of my insanity. We bonded over all kinds of cars, architecture, and music, along with Don Weder, Ricks knowledge base was amazing. Sorry for your loss, wishing you all well.
      Peace

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