Richard James Wilks

He was born in North East, Pennsylvania on December 20, 1940, son of the late Paul and Kathryn (nee Waltz) Wilks. The middle child of three sons, he was preceded in death by his older and younger brothers, Don (Bev) and Tom (Ann).

To know Richard was to love him. He was hard-working, humble and eternally optimistic. He had a way of making everyone around him feel special. Richard put himself through college on an engineering co-op at the University of Cincinnati. There, he met the love of his life, Jan (nee Meister). A member of Triangle Fraternity, they were pinned six weeks later, and married soon after graduation. Richard and family moved regularly with General Electric, including stays in Cincinnati, Ohio, Upland, California, and Brookfield, Wisconsin before retiring in Chagrin Falls, Ohio. In recent years, they moved to Prospect, Kentucky to be closer to family.

Richard was a man of profound faith in his Lord Jesus. He was most recently a member of St. John United Methodist Church in Prospect; prior to that he had been an active longtime member of Valley Lutheran Church in Chagrin Falls. He regularly donated his time and talents to many church activities, including serving in congregational leadership positions. Through the church, Dick and Jan formed many treasured life-long friendships.

A passion for American history and antiques led Richard and Jan to become avid collectors, antique dealers, and after retirement, managers of several local antique shows. Richard was a hands-on person and loved to make things, which he mostly expressed through woodworking. He had an extensive workshop, where he custom-made furniture. He particularly enjoyed when he could use his skills to restore antique pieces.

Richard is survived by his wife of 60 years, Jan, children John (Greg) Wilks and Leanne (Don) Dugan, and grandchildren Justin (Mao), Elizabeth, Jack and Charlie, as well as many nieces and nephews.

A service to celebrate Richard’s life will be conducted at 2:00 PM on Sunday, September 3, 2023 at Saint John United Methodist Church, 12700 West Highway 42, Prospect, KY 40059. Family and friends may gather to visit prior to the services at the church beginning at 1:00 PM.

Memorial contributions may be made to St John United Methodist Church, Valley Lutheran Church or HighPoint Charitable Services of LaGrange, Kentucky.

Please visit www.archlheadywestport.com to view his online tribute or leave a condolence for his family.