Richard Charles Steinmetz, 88, of Huntsville, passed away Wednesday evening, July 18, 2018, at Logan Acres Care Center.
He was born in Columbus on April 11, 1930, to the late George E. and Elsie Louise Boettcher Steinmetz.
A 1947 graduate of Huntsville High School, Richard proudly served his country for more thanr 20 years. He was a highly decorated soldier of the Korean Conflict, where he received the Distinguished Flying Cross. He was a member of the 148th Infantry Ohio Guard and was on the 7th Division of the U.S. Army Board of Governors. He later went to work and retired from Ford Motor Company in Lima, where he was a maintenance supervisor for 32 years.
Richard was a member of the American Legion Post 381 in Huntsville, a lifetime member of the Bellefontaine VFW Post 1080, a Master Mason of Bellefontaine Free and Accepted Masons Lodge 209; 32nd Degree Mason of the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite Valley of Dayton; member of Antioch Shrine in Dayton; member of the Royal Order of Jesters Court 10 Dayton, Director Emeritus and member of Antioch Shrine Funster Clown Unit and a member of the Logan and Champaign County Shrine Clubs. He had also been a member of the Great Lakes Shrine Clown Unit and a member of the International Shrine Clown Association. He enjoyed visiting the many different Shriners Hospitals as a clown known as “Bo.”
Richard’s greatest pleasure in life was watching his children and grandchildren growing up.
Richard married the love of his life, Marilyn Sue Metzler on Dec. 13, 1957, in Huntsville and she survives. He is also survived by daughters, Arnetta L. (Michael) Wallbrown of Bellefontaine, Arlene L. Steinmetz-Jenkins of Huntsville and Holly L. (Vince) Liming of Xenia; a son, Edwin C. Steinmetz of Huntsville; and seven grandchildren, Colby, Reyse and Kennedy Wallbrown, Matthew Jenkins and Cody, Justin and MacKenzie Liming.
Calling is from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday, July 22, at the Eichholtz Daring & Sanford Funeral Home & Cremation Center, Bellefontaine, where Pastor Ben Beres officiates the funeral service at 11 a.m. Monday, July 23, with military honors provided by the Logan County Honor Guard.
Burial will be at a later date in Huntsville Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to Antioch Shrine, 107 E. 1st St, Dayton, OH 45402, and Shriners Children’s Hospital, 110 Conn Terrace, Lexington, KY 40508.
Express condolences at www.edsfh.com.