Richard "Sal" K. Salvator

Richard “Sal” Salvator, age 80, of Pontiac, IL, passed away peacefully at 2:58 a.m. on Monday, September 7, 2026, at his residence in Pontiac, IL.

A visitation will be held on Wednesday, September 16, 2026, from 9:00 a.m. until 10:45 a.m. at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Pontiac, IL with the Rosary at 11:00 a.m. and Mass at 11:30 a.m. Burial will follow at St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery. Father Robert Rayson will be presiding over the services.

Richard Keith Salvator was born on February 9, 1946, in rural Cornell, IL, to Lester A. Salvator and Velma Mae (Rieck) Salvator. He married the love of his life, Mary Lou Wolf on April 6, 1991, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Pontiac, IL.

Survivors include his beloved wife of 35 years, Mary Lou Salvator; children, Jodie Salvator, Laura (Aaron) Jeziorski, David Keighin, Frank (Jamey) Wesselhoff ; grandchildren, Zane Gallamore, Jaryn Holt, Seth Holt, Sunny Holt, Madison Jeziorski, Audrey Jeziorski, Kailee (Adler) Schreur, Alaina Keighin, Eli Keighin, Ryan Wesselhoff, Kyle Wesselhoff, Joel Wesselhoff, Molly Wesselhoff, Reid Wesselhoff, Brendon Elston, and Dawson Elston; great-grandchildren, Kaiden, Myla, Boston, Lincoln, Bella, Ari, Lia, Julia, and Olivia. He is also survived by his siblings, Bill (Esther) Salvator, Gary (Brenda) Salvator, Kathryn (Richard) Carlson, and one sister-in-law, Barbara Salvator .

He was preceded in death by his parents; siblings, Jim Salvator, Bob Salvator, Jerry (Bonnie) Salvator, Mike Salvator, Marjorie (Orville) Henson, Donna (Albert) Debelak, Betty Meyer; and one grandson, Joseph.

Sal graduated from Cornell Grade School and High School. He was a proud and loyal member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Knights of Columbus, NRA, and St. Mary’s Perpetual Adoration since 1983. He worked for the Pontiac Correctional Center for 24 years. He also was an electrician with IBEW Local 601 in Champaign, IL.

Sal enjoyed hunting, fishing, golf, playing cards, and cooking. He especially loved spending quality family time with his adored grandchildren and great-grandchildren. His greatest pride was being able to pass down his knowledgeable wisdom and stories to his family.

Sal made countless unforgettable memories that will forever be cherished and carried on by those he loved most.

Memorials may be made to St. Mary’s Catholic School, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, or to OSF St. Francis Children’s Hospital of Illinois in Peoria, IL.

Duffy-Baier-Snedecor Funeral Home, Pontiac, is entrusted with these arrangements.

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