Richard Eldridge

Richard D. Eldridge, 66, passed away Friday, August 26, 2011 at his home surrounded by his family. He was born April 10, 1945, in Lodi, Ohio. Dick served in the Army National Guard for 6 years. On February 17, 1967, he married Kathy Calhoun and they raised their family in Bellville for 16 years and later moved to Mansfield. An outdoorsman, Dick loved nature and was an avid hunter, fisherman, trapper and accomplished taxidermist. He was a member of American Legion Post #0535, Amvets Post #26, Whitetails Unlimited and the Mansfield Muzzleloader Club.

He is survived by the ladies who were the lights of his life, his wife of 44 years, Kathy Eldridge; daughters, Teresa Bowman of Mansfield and Penny Lowe of Grove City; granddaughters, Liza Bowman of Myrtle Beach, SC and Brittany Bowman of Mansfield; great-granddaughter, Audrey Bowman of Mansfield; brothers, James “Jim” H. (Pat) Eldridge of Mansfield, Tony (Candy) Eldridge of Mansfield, Michael Eldridge of Zanesville and Tommy (Sue) Eldridge of Zanesville; sisters, Cindy Parmer of Palestine, TX and Betty Lee of Mansfield; and several nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, James H. and Ethel Arlene (Mann) Eldridge, Sr., he was preceded in death by one brother, David Eldridge.

A funeral service will be held Wednesday, August 31, 2011 at 1:00 p.m. in the Diamond St. Home of Wappner Funeral Directors, 98 S. Diamond St., Mansfield, with Pastor Bob Stanforth officiating. Friends and family may visit from 12-1 p.m. Burial will follow in Franklin Cemetery with military honors by the Richland County Joint Veterans Burial Squad. Memorial contributions may be made to the family.