Dale Richards
Lewis & Gillum Funeral Homes, Inc.
28 Harding Avenue
Jackson, Ohio 45640
Phone: (740)286-2010
Fax: (740)286-5640
Email: lewisgillumfh@gmail.com
Virgil “Dale” Richards, age 96, of Thurman, Ohio passed away Tuesday, May 21st, 2019 at Jenkins Memorial Nursing Facility. Dale was born April 2nd, 1923 the youngest of seven children, to the late Virgil E. and Catherine M. (Belville) Richards.
He was the owner/operater of Richards Brothers Fruit Farm, along with his three brothers, John, Elson, and Elmer and his son, Steve, and nephew, Gary Richards.
He was a member of the Centerville Masonic Lodge#371 for over 60 years and a long time and faithful member of the Vega United Methodist Church.
Dale is survived by his wife, Louise (Erwin) of Thurman, Ohio, the love of his life since she was in first grade and he in second grade at Bloomfield School. They would have celebrated their 76th wedding anniversary on May 27th, 2019. They were blessed with two sons, Stephen B. (Paulette) and Rickey D. (Josine) of Thurman, Ohio. He is also survived by four grandchildren: Andrea (Jeff) Hale, Stephen (Tara) Richards, and Heath (Vicki) Richards all of Thurman, Ohio and Vandy (Chris) Dowd of Acworth, Georgia; great-grandchildren: Cody (Laura Kelley) Hale of Thurman, Ohio, Griffen (Mykah) Hale of Oak Hill, Ohio, Liberty and Baeddan Richards of Thurman, Ohio, Madison Richards of Jackson, Ohio, and Payton Taylor and Elle Richards of Thurman, Ohio. Dale was also blessed with one great-great-granddaughter, Evelyn Blake “Evie” Hale of Oak Hill, Ohio. In addition two sisters-in-law survive, Carolyn Lewis and Marge Ervin both of Jackson, Ohio; as well as several nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents, Dale was preceded in death by his brothers, John, Elson, and Elmer; and sisters, Alma, Clara, and Eloise.
Calling hours will be held on Friday, May 24th, 2019 from 11AM to 1PM at the Lewis & Gillum Funeral Home of Jackson. Funeral services will immediately follow at 1PM. Burial will follow at Vega Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions be made to the Gideons or a charity of your own choosing. Many thanks to the National Church Residences Hospice, especially hospice nurse Jessie and their home health aides and also to the many in-home caregivers that allowed us to keep Dale and Louise in their home for almost three years. Special thanks to Heath Richards, Anita Davis, Joanie Sharp, Catherine Bird, Nancy Adkins, Amy Wyant, Megan Wellington, Liberty Richards, Jessie Lowery and Bethany Wray. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.lewisgillum.com.