Rev. Richard A. Herath

Rev. Richard A. Herath, age 84, formerly of Ironwood Drive in Elkhart, IN, passed away on Sunday, May 17, 2026 at StoryPoint Granger in Granger, IN. He was born on October 12, 1941 to Russell and Erlean Herath in Joliet, IL. On June 9, 1963, he married Marcia Pearson and they were married for over 60 years.

Richard graduated from Joliet High School, MacMurray College and went on to earn his master’s degree at St. Paul School of Theology. For the bulk of his career he served mostly rural United Methodist churches across central Illinois for more than 28 years. His service to his communities stretched beyond the pulpit, including volunteer firefighter, rural ambulance driver, Lions Club volunteer, CPR instructor and much more. In the 1990’s he retired from full time ministry and became a nursing home administrator in the South Bend area, but his pastoral service continued as a volunteer for Trinity on Jackson Church in Elkhart where he and Marcia were members. He had a passion for thinking and tinkering, from making his own model train layout and miniatures, to teaching himself computer programming languages. Even though they were Illinois natives, he and Marcia greatly enjoyed the Elkhart community from the Jazz Festival to tulip festivals, silent movies at the Lerner and volunteering with children in the public schools. Most of all Richard loved to spend time with his family, especially his grandchildren.

Richard is survived by his three children; John (Margaret) Herath of Granger, IN and Amanda Herath of Niles, MI, grandchildren; Elena (Ross) Sparenberg, Katie (Cory) Canas, Sharon (Shane) Bennett, Geneva Isbell, Olivia Isbell, Adam Herath and Zach Herath, great-grandchildren; August Bennett, Emily Sparenberg, Eleanor “Ellie” Bennett, Clara Sparenberg and Willow Grace Isbell-Taylor. Richard was preceded in death by his wife, Marcia Herath, parents; Russel Herath and Erlean Polson and brother Lawrence “Larry” Herath.

Visitation will be held from 1:30 pm – 2:30 pm on Thursday June 11, 2026 at Trinity on Jackson Church, 2715 East Jackson Blvd., Elkhart, IN 46516 where a memorial service will be at 2:30 pm. Pastor Lori Grasty will officiate. Online condolences may be left for Richard’s family at www.stemmlawsonpeterson.com. Stemm-Lawson-Peterson Funeral Home, 1531 Cobblestone Blvd, Elkhart, IN., 46514 is assisting the Herath family.