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August 2, 2009
Mr. Ralph P. Richards, age 85, of RR 3, Meshoppen, Pa.., passed away late Sunday evening August 2, 2009, at his home in Auburn Center, Pa.
He was born in Bowman’s Creek, on September 10, 1923, a son of the late Paul and Emma Belles Richards. In his early years, Ralph grew up in the Beaumont area, graduating from the Beaumont High School, Class of 1941. While a young man, Ralph served his country in the U.S. Army, serving from 1943 until 1945 in the European Theater, under the command of General Patton.
Working many years for the U.S. Postal Service, he was a postal carrier in Budd Lake, N.J., retiring in 1978. After moving to the Meshoppen area, he was a school bus driver for the Elk Lake School District, retiring in 2002. For the last couple of years, he was employed at Walmart in Tunkhannock.
For many years, he was a member of the Masonic Lodge in Hackettstown, N.J..; the Odd Fellows Lodge in Tunkhannock; the Tunkhannock American Legion Dennis Strong Post 457; the Montrose V.F.W.; and the Meshoppen Men’s Club.
Mr. Richards was preceded in death by his wife, Julia Chamberlain Richards, who passed away on Oct. 29, 2001. Also, besides his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, Heber Richards; a sister, Thelma Dietz; twin great-granddaughters, Bianca and Samantha Todd.
Surviving are his daughter and son-in-law, Doris and Joseph Szarek, of Auburn Center, along with four grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, Aug. 8, 2009, at 11 a.m. from the Sheldon Funeral Home, Main Street, Meshoppen, with the Rev. Charles Bishop, of the Elk Lake Community Church, officiating. Interment will be in the Bunnell Cemetery, near Auburn Center. Family and friends may call at the funeral home on Friday, Aug. 7, 2009, from 5 to 8 p.m. Graveside Military services will be conducted by the members of the Dennis Strong Post 457, and the Rought Hall Post 510 American Legions. In lieu of flowers, those wishing may make memorial donations to the Heartland Hospice, 38 N. Main St., Pittston, PA 18640.