Richard Nathan Horton, 83, of Maryville, Ill., born Friday, Dec. 11, 1931, in East St. Louis, Ill., died Monday, Aug. 31, 2015, at Liberty Village Nursing Home, Maryville, Ill.

Rich retired in 1994 as a superintendent from Ethyl Corp in Sauget, Ill., after over 40 years of service. He was a stand-out baseball player for East St. Louis Senior High, class of 1949.

He moved on to play in the old East St. Louis city leagues where he was known for his power at the plate, arm strength, and overall speed. His athleticism led to signing with the St. Louis Cardinals farm system, where he played for three years until his commitment to his country. Rich honorably served for four years in the U.S. Navy aboard the Wasp, the Champlain, and the Boxer. He was a member of SS Peter and Paul Catholic Church, Collinsville, Ill.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Homer and Dorothy, nee Miller, Horton; a brother, Robert A. Horton; and a sister, Betsy L. Horton.

Surviving are his wife, Marcella, nee Jerome, Horton, whom he married on Sept. 16, 1952; his children, Kenneth (Christine) Horton of Collinsville, Ill., Kelly (David) Stelmach of Collinsville, Ill., Patrick (Katherine Traubitz) Horton of Caseyville, Ill., Deborah (William) Moder of Henderson, Nev., Stacie (Kim Castro) Horton of The Villages, Fla., and Mary (Guy) Santen of Troy, Ill.; 14 grandchildren, Jessica (Andrew) Ropicki, Lindsey (Aaron) Wise, Nathan (Anastasia) Horton, Stefaine (Daniel) Pier, Kendra Cunningham, Kyle (Katherine) Cunningham, Eric Shockley, Kimberly (Christopher Haas) Horton, Kayla (Christopher Jennings) Horton, Mariah, Ivy, and Libby Horton and Kelly and Sarah Napier and 13 great-grandchildren.

Memorials may be made to SS Peter & Paul Catholic Church. Condolences may be expressed to the family at: www.herrfuneral.com.

Visitation: Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 3, 2015, at Herr Funeral Home, Collinsville, Ill., and 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Friday, Sept. 4, 2015, at SS Peter & Paul Catholic Church, Collinsville, Ill.

Funeral: Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, Sept. 4, 2015, at the church, with Father John Beveridge officiating. Burial will be in Sunset Hill Memorial Estates, Glen Carbon, Ill.