Richard Wiechart

BLUFFTON — Richard J. Wiechart, 91, formerly of Lima went to his Heavenly home surrounded by his children at 5:45 p.m. on Wednesday, November 17, 2021 at Willow Ridge Retirement Community, Bluffton.

He was born on November 4, 1930 in Lima to Joseph H. and Lucille G. (Martz) Wiechart, who both preceded him in death. On June 27, 1959, he married the love of his life Dolores Ann (Brockert) Wiechart, who preceded him in death on May 27, 2019.

Richard proudly served his country during the Korean War era as a member of the US Army. He was the owner of the former Equity Dairy on N. Main Street and later retired in 1995 after 25 years of working for Shipper Food Brokerage out of Dayton, Ohio.

He was a very devout Catholic and a completely devoted husband. He was a long-time volunteer at the St. Vincent DePaul Food Pantry. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus, the Elk's Lodge 54 and the Catholic Order of Foresters. Richard enjoyed fishing and watching football, basketball and baseball but most of all loved spending time with his grandchildren.

He is survived by his two sons; Kevin (Michele) and Keith (Roz) Wiechart, both of Lima; his two daughters Lisa (Jay) Taylor of Lima and Laura (Bradley) Jones of Bluffton; his seven grandchildren Kyle (Keri) Wiechart, Brittany (Jordan) Sternberg, Travis (Rachel) Taylor, Anna (Garrick) Schroeder, Samuel Crisp, Lydia Wiechart and Eli Jones; his great-grandchildren Kallie and Elianna Wiechart, Josephine Taylor and Zoe Sternberg; his sister Patricia (Arnold) Musto of Lima; many loving nieces and nephews. He is also survived by his special family at Willow Ridge, who provided excellent care and love in his final years.

He was preceded in death by his wife Dolores Ann; his sisters Helen Grothouse and Jeanette "Jean" (Roger) Fisher; his brother V.J. "Tom" (Maralyn) Wiechart.

The family will receive friends from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Monday, November 22, 2021 at CHILES-LAMAN FUNERAL & CREMATION SERVICES, SHAWNEE CHAPEL. A Rosary will be prayed at the end of visitation on Monday night. The family will also receive friends for one hour prior to the Mass at St. Gerard on Tuesday.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, November 23, 2021 at St. Gerard Catholic Church, with Father Mike Sergi officiating.

For those unable to attend the Mass, it will be live-streamed at www.stgerardchurch.org.

Interment will immediately follow the Mass in Gethsemani Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to Willow Ridge Retirement Community and the St. Vincent DePaul Society.

Condolences may be expressed at www.chiles-lamanfh.com.