Richard "Dick" Meents, 73, of Champaign passed away at Carle Hospital in Urbana on Tuesday, February 20, 2018. He was born on September 4, 1944 in Watseka, IL to Lester and Naomi (Bible) Meents. Dick graduated from Sheldon High School in 1962 and served as a member of the United States Naval Reserve from 1965-67 before being sent to Vietnam on active duty from 1967 to 1968, as a Storekeeper Petty Officer 3rd Class on the USS Tulare AKA-112.  Dick attended Parkland College and Illinois Community College. He worked for Champaign County in computer analysis from 1968-1983 before joining the News-Gazette from 1983-2004, retiring in early 2005. Never one to be idle, Dick returned to the workforce a month later, part-time in the mailroom, at Christie Clinic from March 2005 to present. He was a member of the Salvation Army and the American Legion. Dick is survived by his loving wife, Joyce Meents. They were married on July 19, 1980 in Champaign. Also surviving are his son, Joe Meents of Fisher; daughter, Sarah Meents, of Champaign; grandson, Ryan Meents of Dewey; and sister, Judy (John) Charnesky of Elgin, IL; two sisters-in-law, Judy Norwood of Urbana and Jolane Zarker(Don) of Urbana; cousin Betty Weikel of Michigan; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Robert, who died at birth. Dick leaves behind the legacy of a love for all sports, and was an avid Illini fan, holding season tickets to both football and basketball. Many a trip to Bragging Rights games and other away Illini games was made with his son, Joe and his grandson, Ryan. He enjoyed golfing and was the commissioner of a fantasy football league, of which his son and grandson were members. Dick loved his family. Family vacations every summer to Gatlinburg, TN were an essential part of his life. He was a devoted father to his daughter, Sarah, and very active as a volunteer in C-U Special Rec, where he cheered Sarah on in all of her activities. One of his greatest joys was watching his grandson play basketball, whether it was following Ryan's two travel teams, the Champaign Heat and the Champaign Wolverines, all over Illinois and Indiana, or most recently for the Fisher H.S. Bunnies, where he was Ryan's biggest fan, and never missed a game, even if it conflicted with the Illini. Dick was a friend to all who met him. A visitation will be held from 3 to 6 p.m. on Sunday, February 25th at Renner-Wikoff Chapel, 1900 Philo Road, Urbana, IL 61802. Funeral services will be Monday at 10:30 a.m. also at Renner-Wikoff, (with military rites and the Major Tom McDowell officiating). Memorial contributions may be made in Dick's honor to the Special Olympics, or the Salvation Army.