Richard James Sheafer

Richard J. Sheafer, 88, of New Philadelphia, passed away peacefully on January 20, 2021 in Park Village Health Care Center at Dover.

Born February 7, 1932, in his family’s home on Eureka Street in Pittsburgh, he was the son of the late James R. and Edna H. (Brown) Sheafer. Following his graduation from South Hills High School in June 1950, Richard continued his education and graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Civil Engineering from the Carnegie Institute of Technology, which is now Carnegie Mellon University at Pittsburgh.

Two weeks after his graduation, Richard married Mary Ann (Dudt) Sheafer, who survives and together, they shared over 66 years of marriage before his passing. After a brief honeymoon, Richard and Mary Ann moved to New Philadelphia where he had been hired into the Engineer-In-Training Program with the Ohio Highway Department, now called the Ohio Department of Transportation. He worked under the guidance of several professional engineers and eventually received his own professional license in 1958.

In 1956, Richard’s career was interrupted by his being drafted into the United States Army. Following basic training, Richard was shipped overseas to South Korea and served with the 44th Engineering Battalion of the Eight Army, to assist with the reconstruction of the country following the end of hostilities with North Korea.

Following his return to his civilian job, Richard worked doing design and survey work for ODOT until his promotion to Administrator of the Real Estate Department of District 11. A position that he would hold until his official retirement in November 1994.

Never one to be idle, following his retirement, Richard began a new career as a staff associate for the Linn-Hert-Geib Funeral Home at New Philadelphia and also doing leather tooling work for the Berry Fit Corporation in his spare time. He enjoyed both of these jobs until health issues no longer made it possible to continue working in 2007.

Aside from his professional career, Richard spent most of his adult life working in and for activities of the First Presbyterian Church at New Philadelphia. When he and his wife started attending, they co-sponsored a Junior High Youth Group. He was the elected and ordained as a Deacon and also ordained as an Elder. He served many three-year terms and also as Clerk of Session. He served on many committees of both Wooster Presbytery and Muskingum Presbytery. He served as delegate to the Synod of the Covenant for two three-year terms and also served as superintendent of the Sunday School program at First Presbyterian Church. To say that the church played a most important role in his adult life would be an accurate way to describe his devotion to God.

In addition to his work life and church responsibilities, Richard was also a long-time member of the New Philadelphia Lion’s Club and enjoyed golfing and bowling.

Mary Ann and Richard were blessed with three children; Eric B. (Susan) Sheafer of Chagrin Falls, Nancy A. (Ted) George of Dover and James C. (Anjee) Sheafer of Sunbury; nine grandchildren, Katherine Sheafer- Henderson, Emily and William Sheafer, Alexandra George-Zimmer, Lilianna George, Ashley Sheafer-Dollins, Michael, Kali and Charlotte Sheafer and five great grandchildren, Harper Henderson, Alaina Dollins, Norah Henderson, Avery Dollins and Lucy Henderson.

In addition to his parents, a sister, Thelma Sheafer is also deceased.

A private family visitation and service for Richard will be held in the Linn-Hert-Geib Funeral Home at New Philadelphia. Burial will be in Dover Burial Park at Dover where the New Philadelphia VFW will conduct military honors.

It was Richard’s request that memorial contributions be made to the First Presbyterian Church, 217 East High Avenue, New Philadelphia, Ohio 44663.