Gerald “Cotton” Richardson, 85, of Mt. Carmel, Ill., passed away Sunday, Oct. 3, 2010.

Born March 25, 1925 in Owensville, he was the son of Alvin and Pearl (Garrett) Richardson.

He married Betty Allen on February 14, 1951 in Mt. Carmel.  He worked as a farmer and a carpenter.

Survivors include his wife, Betty; two sons, Jerry (Elaine) Richardson of Mt. Carmel, Kim (Shelley) Richardson of Mt. Carmel; daughter, Nancy (Bob) Gossman of Evansville; six grandchildren, Holly Gossman, Brent Richardson, Amy (Jim) Yang, Lindsey (Joseph) Dee, Ashley (Zach) Kanipe, Brittney (Jason) Ishmael; and three great-grandchildren, Tye, Quaid and Hatcher Kanipe.

He was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Dorothy Waddle; six brothers, Hershel, Harold “Dink,” George, Melvin, Raymond and John Richardson.

Funeral services will be 10 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 6, 2010 at the Chapel of Short Funeral Home with burial to follow at Highland Memorial Cemetery in Mt. Carmel.

There will be a private family visitation.