Richard D. Ernest

Richard D. Ernest, 73, of Dover, died Wednesday, December 9, 2015 in Community Hospice House at New Philadelphia following a period of declining health.

A son of the late I. Dale and Elizabeth (Ritter) Ernest, Richard was born August 1, 1942 at Cleveland, Ohio.

Richard graduated from New Philadelphia High School in 1960. Then on June 22, 1963, he married the former Shirley Zifer and together the couple raised four children, Jodi, Kathi, Kim and Michael.

He retired from A. K. Steel at Dover following 30 years of service. Richard’s greatest joy in life was his family and attending his grandchildren’s events.

He is survived by his wife, Shirley Ernest; his children, Jodi (Matt) Webb of Bowling Green, Ohio, Kathi (Charles) Morris of Easton, Pennsylvania, Kim (Monte Sherrell) Ernest of Bolivar and Michael (Beth) Ernest of New Philadelphia; his grandchildren, Katie and Liz Webb, Rebecca, Julianne, Ben, Matthew, Dominic and Abby Morris and Will, Gabe, Luke and Lydia Ernest; two step grandsons, David and Tony Morris; a sister, Barbara Ernest and a brother, Tom Ernest both of New Philadelphia; sisters-in-law, Joanne (Hugh) McClelland and Audrey Barr both of New Philadelphia and Lois (Andy) Wells and Angie (Jeff) LeMasters both of Dover; brothers-in-law, George (Carol) Zifer of Dover, Ron Zifer of Columbus and Tom (Anita) Zifer of California and several nieces and nephews.

Richard was preceded in death by his parents; a brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Bob and Polly Zifer; another brother-in-law, Denny Barr and an infant grandson, Aaron Morris

Visitation will be held on Saturday, December 12, 2015 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Linn-Hert-Geib Funeral Home & Crematory at New Philadelphia. A funeral service celebrating Richard’s life will follow at 1 p.m. in the funeral home with Deacon Lynn Houze officiating. Burial will follow in St. Joseph’s Calvary Cemetery at Dover. A luncheon will be held on the Geib Family Center at New Philadelphia following the service.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Richard’s memory to Community Hospice of Tuscarawas County, 716 Commercial Avenue SW, New Philadelphia, OH 44663