RICHARD DAVIS

Richard D. Davis, 85, of Mehoopany, chose to be united with his Savior on Thursday, May 6, 2021.

Born in Sayre, on March 5, 1936 the son of the late Cullen (d. 1974) and Bettie (Comstock) Davis (d. 1965).

A 1954 graduate of Laceyville High School, he later graduated from Moody Bible Institute with a degree in missions. He served as a missionary in Mexico and Texas with Send the Light Ministries, Friends of Mexico Ministries and the Rio Grande Bible Institute before joining the U.S. Air Force and serving as a mechanic on C133B's. After leaving the Air Force he attended Western Baptist Bible College in El Cerrito, Calif. He was briefly employed at the Wassaic State School in Wassaic, N.Y., before returning to the Mehoopany area where he worked for Woodward, Clyde, Sherrard and Associates of the Bechtel Corporation in the foundation work of building the Procter and Gamble manufacturing plant. In 1966 he applied for Procter and Gamble and was hired on as employee 0001, its first employee, were he retired from after 27 years.

In his spare time, and especially after he retired, he was an avid outdoorsman and enjoyed hunting, fishing, gardening and hiking the Scottsville Road farm. He had a love for wildlife and generously fed the birds while attracting the bears. It was no secret as to when these 'bruins', as he called them, came for a nightly visit with a trail cam fixed towards the bird feeders and a cow bell to announce their arrival. He often enjoyed morning coffee around his dining room table with his brother, Ray and devoted nephew, Hector Davis.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Fred Davis; and sister, Elva Musto.

He is survived by his wife Carole (Wintermute) of almost 54 years; his four daughters: Kelly Milliron (Jimmy) of Golden Hill, Tammy Canfield (Victor) of Clear Brook, Va., Kara Davis (fiancé Bill Taylor) of Laceyville, and Nicky Bodenmiller of Winchester, Va.; 14 grandchildren: Brittany Macini (Joe), Victor James Canfield II, Brooke-Cherith Canfield, Micah Canfield, Victoria Hicks (Mason), Breanna Ritinski, Nichole Edkin, Alyssa Dorman (Andrew), Miranda Brigham (fiancé Thomas Finkler), Erica Fulmer (Justin), Tyler Brigham, Janae Brigham, Brynne Bodenmiller and Sean Bodenmiller; eight great grandchildren: Aleyah, Ephraim, Kayden, Ryan, Hailey, Xander, Blake and Eden; his three remaining siblings: Ed Davis of Mehoopany, Bob Davis (Cynthia) of Calhan, Colo., and Ray Davis (Katrina) of Laceyville; and a multitude of nieces and nephews.

His legacy is his faith and his growing family. He was a life-long member of Braintrim Baptist Church in Laceyville, and a supporter of the NRA. He served in the church throughout his life as a home bible study teacher, Sunday School teacher, missionary committee member and a deacon.

A celebration of life service for Richard will be held on Sunday, May 16, from the Braintrim Baptist Church, at 4 p.m., with Reverend Joseph Kilmer and Reverend Mark King officiating. Family and friends may call at the church from 3 p.m., until the time of the service.

A Graveside and Veteran's Honor Service will be held at the Vaughn Cemetery on Monday, May 17, at 10 a.m. The honor service will be conducted by the members of the Rought Hall Post #510 American Legion, of Black Walnut; the Dennis Strong Post #457 American Legion, of Tunkhannock; and the Endless Mountains V.F.W. Post # 3583, of Mehoopany.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made in Richard's name to Braintrim Baptist Church, PO Box 281, Laceyville, PA 18623, or Operation Mobilization, PO Box 444, Tyrone GA 30290-0444, or the Wounded Warrior Project, PO Box 758516, Topeka KS 66675-8516.

Arrangements are entrusted with the Sheldon Funeral Home, 459 Main St., Laceyville.

Online condolences may be made at www.SheldonFuneralHomes.com.