Richard Lee Niehaus Jr., 64, of Granite City, IL, died at 12:46 p.m. Tues. Apr. 22, 2025 at Anderson Hospital in Maryville, IL.

He was born Dec. 11, 1960 in East St. Louis, IL to the late Richard L. and Zella L. (Holman) Niehaus Sr.

Richard married Rene Lemons of Madison, IL on Dec. 30, 1983 and she survives.

Richard played football through high school at Madison High School.  He was a volunteer fire fighter and EMT with the Madison Fire Department.  He was also employed at by Fox Warehouse of Granite City and then went on to become a truck driver.  "Big Rich" as he was affectionately known, was an avid fisherman.  All he talked about was fishing, and football and baseball as a Cardinals forever fan.  He was also known as the "Crappie Master" and had many stories to go with that title.  Richard was also a proud father and grandfather and was known to his grandkids as "PaPa" and "Pa" and he will be forever missed.  Richard had so many wonderful friends.  He never forgot a memory or a story and that told of their friendship and what that meant to him.

In addition to his longtime companion, Rene, he is survived by a daughter, Amy Lynn Jett of Glen Carbon, IL, a son-in-law, Timothy Jett of Collinsville, IL, 3 grandchildren, Maisie Jett, Dustin (Jessica) Jett, and Ashley Jett, 6 great-grandchildren, Braden, Isabella, and Byrsen Gaunt, and Ryder, Easton, and Reese Jett, a brother, Jeffrey (Sharon) Niehaus of Granite City, a sister, Rhonda Skalak of Joliet, IL, aunts, Patricia Niehaus of Granite City, Barbara (Donald) Mullens of IN, and Joyce Holman of Madison, IL, mother-in-law, Della Gean of Edwardsville, IL, and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by a granddaughter, Brittany Jett, 2 brothers, Robert Wayne Niehaus, and Christopher Allen Niehaus, 2 sisters, Laura Peach, and Cynthia Niehaus Heady, and grandparents, Arthur and Rhetta Cooper Niehaus, and William and Dorothy Holman.

Memorial visitation will be from 4:00 p.m. until time of services at 7:00 p.m. Tues. Apr. 29, 2025 at Wojstrom Funeral Home & Crematory.

Online information and guestbook through Wojstrom Funeral Home & Crematory may be found at www.wojstrom.com.