Richard Luther Miles Shibley

Reverend Richard L.M.Shibley was born January 9, 1925 in Akron, Ohio. He passed away February 4th, 2017 in Virginia Beach, Virginia. He was the son of Karl J. and Eleanor (Miles) Shibley. He was a retired Lutheran minister having served full time until 1987. He served congregations in Niles, Ohio (Trinity); Galion, Ohio (First); Coshocton, Ohio (Emmanuel); Wooster, Ohio (Zion); and Reedsburg, Ohio (Zion). After retirement he continued to serve as pulpit supply in churches throughout Ohio including extended assignments at Rowsburg and Pleasant Valley, Ohio.

Upon early graduation from Akron Central High, he joined the Marines but old football injuries forced him out. He subsequently joined the Army where he became a Paratrooper and is a Veteran of WWII, E.T.O. After his discharge, he attended Kenyon College, Ohio State University, University of Cincinnati, University of Omaha and Wisconsin.

He was employed at Cooper Industries, Mt. Vernon, Ohio from 1948-60 going from apprentice machinist to Director of Training and eventually Personnel Manager. During those twelve years he coached Freshman Football and LaCrosse at Kenyon College, served as President of the Mt. Vernon Cancer Society, American Red Cross, Jaycees, American Society of Training Directors, Academy of Parish Clergy and Parent Teachers Association. He was appointed Knox County Civil Defense Director by the County Comissioner and was involved in the Boy Scouts and the American Legion and as a certified shop teacher, helped equip the new High School Industrial Arts building. For his efforts in the community he was awarded the “Outstanding Man of the Year” award.

He left Mt. Vernon to pursue jobs in Lay Ministry work and eventually entered the Northwestern Theological Seminary (Luther Seminary) in St. Paul, MN, where he graduated and was ordained in 1968. During his seminary studies he worked full-time as Director of Training at Professional Instruments Co. in Minneapolis.

He was an active participant in the activities of the Coshocton Metropolitan Housing Authority, Council of Churches, Hospital Chaplaincy Program and served on the Governor's Commission on Interprofessional Education and practice. He enjoyed gardening, collecting stamps, was the President of the Wooster Stamp Club and did woodworking in his spare time. He has been involved in music since he was 9 years old, singing in choirs wherever he lived including many years with the Coshocton Community Choir. He was also a member of Kempsville Lodge #196 and Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Virgina Beach.

He is preceeded in death by his wife of 49 years, Rose Marie (Johnson) Shibley of Akron and a graduate of Akron Garfield High. He was also preceeded in death by his brother, Robert K. Shibley, sister, Martha (Shibley) Marquard, and son-in-law John A. Farrer. The Shibleys, who were married in 1947, have five daughters: Cheryl Farrer, Va. Beach, VA; Carolinn Shibley, Hillsboro, OH; Cathy Tucker, Houston, TX; Dr. Susan Shibley, Mt. Perry, OH; and Kristine Hardesty (Barry), Coshocton, OH. They have five granddaughters, three grandsons and five great-grandchildren. He will be missed by his cats, and his love of serving his community, his sense of humor and his love of ice cream will be missed by all who knew him.

Calling hours will be at Emmanuel Lutheran Church, 1500 Pleasant Valley Drive in Coshocton, Ohio on Sunday, February 12th 5:00-7:00 pm and the service will be held Monday, February 13th, at 10:00 am also at Emmanuel Lutheran Church. Burial will follow at 2:30 pm at Mt. Vernon Memorial Gardens in Mt. Vernon, Ohio. A memorial service celebrating his life will be held in Virgian Beach, VA on March 25th. Contributions may be made to Alzheimer's Association, American Cancer Society or the Coshocton Community Choir.