Rick E. “Ricky” Reed, 54, of Knoxville died Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026, at 8:24 p.m. at OSF Richard L. Owens Hospice Home, Peoria, surrounded by his loving family after a courageous battle with cancer.
Rick was born March 21, 1971, in Galesburg, the son of Albert K. “Kenny” Reed Jr. and Wanda Elaine (Harding) Atwell. He married Lisa (Woolsey) Woodruff on Oct. 18, 2008, at the Methodist Church in Galesburg.
Rick is survived by his wife, Lisa of Knoxville; three stepchildren, Blake (Shelby) Woodruff of Knoxville, Josh Woodruff of Hillsdale and Ashley (Cody Scovil) Woodruff of Knoxville; five grandsons, Quinton, Jaxsyn, Karter, Case and Walker; one sister, Paulette (Chris) Welty of Port Allen, Louisiana; two brothers, Randy (Michele Clemens) Reed of Roscoe and Roger (Janice) Reed of East Galesburg; one stepbrother, Jimmy Brown of Abingdon; and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his stepmother Joyce Reed, stepbrother Bobby Miner, stepfather William “Bill” Atwell, his maternal and paternal grandparents, several uncles and a cousin.
Rick graduated from Knoxville High School in 1990. He worked for the Village of East Galesburg maintenance department and served on the volunteer fire department, spending many years as fire chief. He later worked 20 years for the Knox County Highway Department before joining Knoxville CUSD #202, where he cared for district facilities, especially the baseball, football and softball fields. Rick spent five years as assistant girls’ basketball coach and 12 years as Knoxville varsity boys’ baseball coach. He also served as assistant baseball coach at Carl Sandburg College and was a dedicated board member of the Knoxville Youth League.
Rick enjoyed sports, coaching kids and was a lifelong fan of the Chicago Cubs, Chicago Bears and University of Kentucky Wildcats basketball.
In accordance with Rick’s wishes, cremation will be accorded. A celebration of life will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026, at the American Legion Post 749 in Knoxville.
Memorials may be made to the family.