Richard DeWalt

Richard C. DeWalt, 86, died at the Walnut Hills Retirement Center Rehabilitation Division on Christmas Day, December 25, 2017. He was born on July 31, 1931 to the late Roger “Abe” DeWalt and Ilene (Kress) DeWalt at 711 E. Main St., Crestline, OH.

He was a graduate of the Class of 1949 at Crestline High School. Shortly after his graduation, he joined the United States Air Force. He was stationed in Germany during the Korean War and flew F84 planes on which he was the jet mechanic and the Crew Chief. He often spoke of his Air Force days of which he was quite proud.
He was hired as one of the first employees of the Crestline PPG Industries plant in Crestline in August of 1959. When he retired in August of 1993, he worked in the “Diamond Dresser” area. He enjoyed going trap shooting with his father in earlier years. He was also known to have a fix-it shop behind their home in Ontario where he repaired items for family and friends.

He married Darlene Walker in October of 1984 and six children were born of that marriage. His first wife, Darlene, died on November 29, 1989 after a courageous eight year battle with breast cancer. Five of their children survive: Sharon (John) Miller, Ontario; Roger DeWalt of rural Shelby; Tammy (Bob) Wheeler, Ontario; Linda DeWalt, Mansfield; and Debra (Leonard) Wheeler of rural Lexington. Their oldest son, Rick DeWalt, died in September of 2009.

He married Charlotte Van Ness Daniel DeWalt in September of 2000 and she survives as does her daughter, Kelley Jo Monroe, and her children of Fayetteville, NC. He dated Char when she was a sophomore in high school and when her husband, Herman Daniel, passed, he renewed their friendship. He and “Char” moved to her home in Maggie Valley, NC soon after their marriage. He joined and continued his membership in the First Baptist Church of Waynesville, NC.

They moved to Walnut Hills Retirement Center in Walnut Creek, Ohio in 2006. Their caregivers, Sarah and Ervin Yoder, took them on several trips to North Carolina and Florida. They particularly enjoyed visiting The Cove, which is the home of Billy Graham Center.

He is also survived by his sister, Janet (DeWalt) Buchanan and his sister-in-law , Carole DeWalt, both of Crestline., and his brother-in-law, Ron Claes, who was the husband of his sister, Jane (DeWalt) Apger Claes who passed away in August, 2017. Other deceased family members include his brother, James DeWalt, and his brother-in-law, Joe Buchanan, and his nephew, Bruce Buchanan.

Also surviving are his grandchildren, Krissi Lucas, Tiffany James, Richard DeWalt, David DeWalt, Roger Vick, Bobbie Wheeler, Dustin DeWalt and Michael DeWalt. He also had many nieces and nephews who will always fondly remember their “Uncle Dick.”

Dick’s wishes were that he would be cremated with no service other than a graveside service in Greenlawn Cemetery in Crestline at a later date to be announced in spring of 2018. Geib Funeral Home in Dover, Ohio was chosen to handle the arrangements. Memorial contributions may be made to Samaritan’s Purse, PO Box 3000, Boone, NC 28607; Wounded Warriors Project, PO Box 758517, Topeka, KS 66675; and American Cancer Society.