Blair O. “Dick” Richards

Blair O. “Dick” Richards, 88, of Bell Township, died January 17, 2015, at Punxsutawney Area Hospital.

He was born March 30, 1926, in Sportsburg, a son of the late Violet (Ball) and James Richards.

He was a member of the Sportsburg United Methodist Church and the Perry Township Sportsman’s Club.

He served in the U.S. Army Air Force during World War II.

He loved hunting, fishing, and spending time with family and friends.

Blair worked at Metals Protection, Barletta’s Warehouse, and he retired from the Maintenance Department at Punxsutawney Area School District.

He is survived by five step-daughters, Darlene Ferrier and husband Thomas of Harrisburg, Joyce Brink and husband Timothy of Punxsutawney, Janice Covatch and husband Charles of North Carolina, Susan Dively and husband Gordon of Martinsburg, and Tamela Schandel and husband Arthur, Jr. of Altoona; fourteen step-grandchildren; fifteen step-great grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by three wives, Bertha Smith, Letha (Shick) Vasbinder, and Nellie M. (Zellonis) Jarbeck; a son Cloye Blair Richards; two brothers, Jesse Richards and Kenneth Richards; and a sister Marjorie Sheesley.

Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m., Monday, January 19, 2015, at the Deeley Funeral Home, Punxsutawney.

A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m., Tuesday, January 20, 2015, at the Sportsburg United Methodist Church with Reverend Dr. Thomas A. Topar officiating.

Interment will be in the Grange Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made, in memory of Mr. Richards, to the Sportsburg United Methodist Church, or to the charity of the donors’ choice.

To send condolences online, visit deeleyfuneralhome.com.