Rithy Chum

Rithy Chum, 69, of Ottawa, Illinois passed away Friday, June 26, 2015 at Northwestern Memorial Hospital Chicago peacefully surrounded by his family. A private service will be held at 6:00 pm on Wednesday at the Ottawa Funeral Home with Pastor Kevin Donoho officiating. Visitation will be from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm on Wednesday at the Ottawa Funeral Home. Rithy was born July 22, 1945 in Cambodia, to Cheal and Pom (Hom) Chum. He married Neang Chan in 1980 in Thailand. Rithy and his family immigrated to the United States in 1983 in hope for a better life. Rithy worked in a factory until his illness in 2004. Although factory work was not an ideal job for Rithy who was a schoolteacher prior to the Vietnam War, he was very grateful for the opportunity and life he had made for himself and his family here in America. He has taught his children that hard work and perseverance are what drove him here from Cambodia. Rithy was very proud of what he had accomplished in the short time he had been in the United States. Rithy was a man with a big heart. He was always willing to lend a helping hand. He enjoyed gardening and spending time with his grandchildren. Rithy was a member of the Cambodian résistance and fought in support of American Forces during the Vietnam War. He is survived by his wife, two daughters, Sovy (Jim) Jonassen, of Ottawa, Thavy (Sophear) Hounsve of LaSalle and one son, Ratha (Nicole) Chum, of Ottawa, two sisters, two brothers, and eight grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his parents, one sister, three brothers, and a grandson.