David "Jake" R. Pace

Richmond resident, David R. “Jake” Pace, 70, died Thursday, September 23, 2021 at his residence surrounded by his loving family. Jake was born on March 26, 1951 to Herman and Kathryn Dicken Pace in Hamilton, Ohio. Jake attended and graduated from College Corner High School in 1969 and was drafted into the United States Army in 1971. He was honorably discharged from the Army in 1973 after two years of service. Jake married the former Mary Gross on September 19, 1969, they recently celebrated their fifty-third wedding anniversary. He was employed with General Telephone for thirty years from which he retired in 1999. Jake enjoyed riding motorcycles, owning a Harley Davidson and later a Honda. He was a Black Belt in Shotokan Karate, and taught karate lessons in Richmond. Jake was actively engaged in genealogy, studying his family history and tracing his family tree. He used Ancestry.com to research his lineage, compiling several books of information through the process. The biggest enjoyment in life for Jake, came from his grandchildren. He spent countless hours with them, watching their sporting events, even moving to Tennessee for three months to watch his oldest granddaughter play ball. He was a wonderful husband, father and grandfather. He will be deeply missed. Jake is survived by the love of his life, Mary; daughter: Kim Schneider and her husband Nathan of Fountain City; sisters: Jean Heartly of College Corner, and Marylynn Mitchum of Indianapolis; grandchildren: Katie, Becca, and Zane; several nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, Jake was preceded in death by his brother Bobby Buttery. A funeral service will be conducted at 12:00p.m., Saturday October 2, 2021 at Showalter Blackwell Long Funeral Home, Fosdick Chapel, Liberty with Pastor Jim Frazee officiating. Friends may visit the funeral home from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the service. Burial will follow at College Corner Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions be made to the American Cancer Society in Jake’s honor.