Richard L. Koontz, 90 of Fairfield, passed away at 3:33 AM, Friday, June 5, 2026, at Fairfield Memorial Hospital. Born on May 8, 1936, in Wayne County to Francis and Lora (Roundtree) Koontz, he was a veteran of the Vietnam War, serving in the US Air Force from 1957-1965. After he left the Air Force he worked for McDonnell Douglas in Missouri, Southern Wholesale in Fairfield, drove a truck for Brach’s in Fairfield, owned and operated Koontz Water Service, and the State of Illinois Highway Department in Fairfield, which he retired from. He was a longtime member of the First Baptist Church in Fairfield.
Richard is survived by his wife Betty (Maricle) Koontz of Fairfield, son Victor Koontz of Mt. Vernon, IL, grandchildren Tanner Koontz of Cape Girardeau, MO and Stevie Koontz of Nashville. TN, brothers Kennard Koontz of Fairfield and Gary (Tisha) Koontz of Carterville, IL, and sisters Betty Newby of Fairfield and Ann (Bobby Joe) Green of Eufaula, Oklahoma. He was preceded in death by his parents and 4 brothers- Roger, Ardell, Donald, and Kenneth.
Funeral services for Richard Koontz will be held at 1 PM, Tuesday, June 9th at the Johnson and Vaughn Funeral Home in Fairfield, with burial to follow in Maple Hill Cemetery. Visitation will be held on Monday from 5-7 PM at the funeral home.
