Eric R. "Rick" Roath, born August 9, 1947, finally at peace on Monday, August 23, 2021. Late of Grand View, Alzheimer's Special Care Center, Peoria, Illinois. Formerly of Morton IL. and Pleasant Garden, N.C. Preceded in death by his parents, Donald K. Roath, and Louris Mae (nee Carruthers) Roath. Surviving is his loving children, Kelly J. Rowden (Jeff) of Pekin, IL. and Timothy J. Roath (Meghan) of Morton, IL. Grandfather to Grady Rowden, Jason, and Cordelia Roath. Also surviving by his brothers, Daniel Roath of Crest Hill, IL., Michael Roath (Vickie) of Joliet, IL., and his sister, Christine Roath Beaulieu of Lansing IL. He has seven nieces and nephews he loved and adored. Also left behind are his cousins from North Carolina and Peoria, Illinois. Rick lived most of his life in the Joliet/Shorewood area and was the product of Troy and Joliet elementary and high schools. He was an all-star athlete, excelling in track, tennis, baseball, and football. He grew up and had many friends in the Reedwood area of Joliet and Murphey Acres. Rick enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corp. in 1967 immediately after graduation from Joliet West High School. He had basic and advanced training at Camp Pendleton before orders were to join the 11th Motor Transport Battalion, 1st Marine Division, Da Nang Vietnam, hauling supplies up Rt.1 to Phu Bai and Cam Lo. He returned to 'the civilian world' in 1969 after he was honorably discharged. Rick married Connie Swords-Smith on July 25, 1975, adopted Kelly, had one child- Timothy James Roath. Rick worked at DeSoto Chemical in Joliet before working for Caterpillar briefly in Mossville, IL., then moved to North Carolina where he worked for Wrangler Corp. until his retirement in 2009. Rick loved golfing, hiking, biking, traveling and his family. Funeral services for Rick will be held at Farkas Funeral Home, 3201 W. Jefferson Street, Joliet, IL 60431 Saturday, August 28, 2021, at 10:00 a.m. Officiating will be Rick's childhood friend, Marc Smith. Visitation will be held from 9:00 a.m. until time of services. Interment will follow at Woodlawn Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, memorials in his name to Alzheimer's Association will be appreciated. The family has requested that all attendees will be required to wear a face mask and observe social distancing while in the funeral home. For more information, please call 815-725-0100 or visit www.farkasfuneralhome.com