Richard Schmaedeke was a longtime south suburban funeral director whose family-run business handled arrangements for countless area passings for more than 80 years.

Former colleagues recalled Schmaedeke’s high standards and his desire to serve grieving families well.

“Two things stand out: His class and professionalism,” said Pat Kearney, who worked for Schmaedeke for about a dozen years as a funeral director and embalmer. “You hear that all the time, but that was what really went on (with Dick).”

Schmaedeke, 86, died of natural causes on Aug. 26 at his Palos Park home, said his sister-in-law, Mary Kay Wall.

Born and raised in Orland Park, Schmaedeke was the grandson of German immigrants and was the son of Orville and Martha Schmaedeke, who teamed up with a business partner, Eugene Har

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