Gene Richard

Gene Richard, 80, of North Canton and formerly of Dover, Wooster, and Orrville died Saturday, Jan. 12, 2019 peacefully in his home following a brief illness.

Born June 29, 1938 in Fostoria, Ohio, he was the son of the late Parke and Marshalena (Gepler) Richard. In addition to his parents, Gene was preceded in death by his first wife, Patricia (Ware) Richard who died Oct. 29, 1994 and his 2nd wife, Ellen K. Richard who preceded him on Oct. 21, 2011. He was also preceded by a stepdaughter, Julie (Jeff) Martin and a brother John E. Richard.

Gene was a schoolteacher for 41 years having taught at Dover for 26 years. He also previously taught in the Wayne County Schools and the Plain Twp. Schools. His students will remember his song “Blue Bells”

He was a member of the Orrville Christian Church where he was a Bible Study Group leader and member of the Generations Quartet. He was also a former member of the First Christian Church in Dover. He was also previously active in the Dover Kiwanis Club, Dover Band Boosters and was a driver of the band instrument truck. He also served as a board member of the Christian Children’s Home of Ohio and the Red Cross in Dover. He previously was a member of the Schoebrunn Barbershop Chorus and a volunteer for the Meals on Wheels in Orrville. He was a graduate of Johnson Bible College and attended Kentucky Christian College and graduate of the University of Akron.

He will be sadly missed by his wife Carol Ann (Zona) Richard; two daughters, Diana Swackhamer of Pickerington and Jen L. Richard of Denver, Colorado; his beloved twelve grandchildren, Ashley, Kyle, Jordan and Lauren Swackhamer; Malayna and Mackenzie Turpin; Maverick, Olivia and Wyatt Smith; Savannah Geer, Tony West, and Lincoln Crutcher; a.stepson, Ryan (Megan) Turpin; two stepdaughters, Heather (Matt) Smith and Christie (Ben) Crutcher; a brother, Jim (Pat) Richard of Mason, OH and a sister in law, Phyllis Richard of Fostoria.

Friends may call at the Orrville Christian Church, 925 N. Elm St., Orrville, Ohio on Saturday from 9:30am until 11am with a memorial service to follow. Those who may wish to sign the online guestbook, read the complete obituary and share a fond memory can visit the funeral home website at www.tolandherzig.com

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Meals on Wheels of Stark & Wayne Counties, 2363 Nave Rd. S.E., Massillon, Ohio 44646 or to Mercy Hospice of Stark County, 4369 Whipple Ave. NW, Canton, Ohio 44718