Richard Dean Root, 60, died peacefully in his apartment in Bloomington on October 29, 2024, where he had lived for several years. His hometown was Bedford, but he had also lived out west in Dodge City, KS, in his younger years.
He was born May 9, 1964, in Bedford. His parents divorced, and both remarried: Paul V. (Rosetta) of Bedford, both deceased, and Glena Collingsworth (Jeff) of Bedford. He was blessed with five sisters, Paula Lahlou (Rikki) of Englewood, CO., Sherri Lovell of Wichita, KS., Debbie Patterson of Topeka, KS., Angie Root of Bedford, IN., and Mary Parkes (Bill) of Oolitic, IN. He also had two brothers, Roy Dale Root of Ariz., deceased, and Jason Collingsworth of Bedford.
Richard also had five children: Gary Peterson (Vicki) of Carr Lane, MI., Samantha Turpin (Ryan McFarland) of Bedford, IN., and Jennifer Root (Shelly Bernhard) of Crestview, FL., Jared Root (Christy Pettit) of TX. and Brenda Root (Otis Dixon) of Florala, AL., along with many nieces, nephews, and several cousins.
Richard was a man of many trades throughout his 60 years of life, from being a manager of the Sonic Restaurant in Dodge City, KS., to a roofer all over Lawrence County, a farmer’s helper up in Guthrie, and a volunteer at the Community Kitchen in Bloomington. He was well known and liked by many, and those who knew him just called him Root.
He will forever be loved and truly missed.
He was cremated.
Join his family in celebrating his life at 3:00 p.m. on Friday, May 9, 2025, at Thornton Park Rental House, across from the playground.
