Rick Cross

Rick Cross, age 68, of Champaign, IL. passed away at 9:40 P.M. Tuesday November 18, 2025 at Carle Foundation Hospital, Urbana, IL. 

Rick was born February 14, 1957 at Jarman Hospital in Tuscola. The son of Fred and Elizabeth (Vinson) Cross. He married Robbie Witt on February 24, 2006. She survives. 

He is survived by his children, Tiffany Hartman (Chris), Justin Cross (Ashley Stickels), and Amy Cross (Christopher Kempson). He also leaves behind his grandchildren, Aubrey and Aiden Hartman, and Benjamin and Jack Kempson. His siblings, Jean, Ron, Don, and Bobbie, also survive him.

Rick worked in sales at Rogers Supply, Connor Co, and Do It Best Hardware. A lifelong passion of his was helping people. If he knew you had a problem, there was little you could do to get him off the case until it was solved. Working at the hardware store allowed him to collect more problems to solve and nothing made him happier. 

At home, Rick was loving to Robbie and their two cats Dom & Dex. He enjoyed looking for projects around the house, never being content until his day was filled with ordering items, making follow up calls, scheduling work and appreciating the results of his labor. He was a lifelong fan of the Unity Rockets, Fighting Illini and Minnesota Vikings. What interested Rick the most was visiting with family and friends, talking about life, projects and cars was a conversation he never grew tired of. 

Rick loved his wife, children and grandchildren more than anything else. 

Visitation will be from noon to 2 p.m. Wednesday at Freese Funeral Home, 407 N. Bourne St., Tolono. Graveside services will follow at Bailey Memorial Cemetery, Tolono.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Rick Cross, please visit our floral store.