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Richard VanHorn Obituary
Richard Ralph VanHorn
Dr. Richard Ralph VanHorn, 84, was united with his Lord and Savior on Friday, Oct. 21, 2022.
He was born Feb. 4, 1938, to Ralph and Ruth (Ecker) VanHorn, who both are deceased. He married Clarabelle Cole on June 16, 1961, and she survives in Celina. They were married 61 years.
He is survived by four daughters, Sandra VanHorn, Susan Cook, Sharon (Dave) Knous, and Sheila Gass, all of Celina; brother, Dale (Susan) Van Horn of McComb; four sisters, Juanita Cole of Tiffin, Barbara Roark of Findlay, May Chambers of Arlington, and Margaret Behnfeldt of Findlay; two sisters-in-law, Grace VanHorn of Findlay and Barbara VanHorn of Auburn, Indiana; six grandchildren, Tabitha (Devin) Dillinger, Jalen (Siearra) Knous, Amanda Cook, and Claire, Cramer, Campbelle Gass; and five great-grandchildren, Sophia, Elsie, J.J., and Archie Knous, and Elly Dillinger.
Richard was preceded in death by three brothers, Raymond "Jim", Allison "Al", and Dennis; four brothers-in-law, Alben "AW" Roark, Robert Chambers, Paul Cole, and Paul Behnfeldt; and son-in-law, Steve Cook.
He was a graduate of Wharton Local High School in Wyandot County. He was employed at Cooper Tire of Findlay. He proudly served our country in U.S Army Security Agency for three years in Germany.
He received life ordination in 1972 by Churches of God General Conference. He graduated from The University of Findlay and Winebrenner Seminary of Findlay. He served the university for 17 years as an active trustee and was a Trustee Emeritus. The university honored him by bestowing a Doctor of Divinity Degree. He was honored with a Distinguished Alumnus award.
Richard served three churches as senior pastor, Hopewell Church of God, Tiffin, Fairview Church of God, Yoder, Indiana, and Celina First Church of God for 20 years.
After his retirement in 1997, he continued to serve as interim pastor for five churches as they awaited their next senior pastor. Richard served the church for 51 years as a servant of God.
He had a big heart for Haiti and went to Haiti 16 different times to serve Project Help Missions, of the Churches of God. He experienced 9/11 bombing while in Haiti and was there during their earthquake.
He was privileged to attend Billy Graham School of Evangelism. He served the Churches of God in leadership roles in Ohio, Indiana, and The General Conference. Richard was an avid fisherman, hunter, electrician, and wood worker. He loved Ohio State, Detroit Tigers, Detroit Lions, and Celina Bulldogs. He loved his grandchildren and their many sports activities.
He was a member of Mt. Tabor Church of God, Celina Lions Club and Life Member of Celina V.F.W. Post #5713.
Richard's funeral will be 10:30 a.m. Friday, Oct. 28, 2022, at Mt. Tabor Church of God, with Pastor Stephen Whetstone and the Rev. Darwin Dunten officiating. Burial will follow at North Grove Cemetery, Celina, with military honors provided by Celina V.F.W. Post #5713 and Celina American Legion Post #210.
Friends may call 2-6 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 27, 2022, at Lehman-Dzendzel Funeral Home, Celina, and 9:30-10:30 a.m. Friday at the church.
Memorial contributions may be made to The House of Abraham Orphanage in Haiti, https://www.houseofabrahamhaiti.org.
Condolences may be shared with the VanHorn family online at LehmanDzendzelFH.com.
Dr. Richard Ralph VanHorn, 84, was united with his Lord and Savior on Friday, Oct. 21, 2022.
He was born Feb. 4, 1938, to Ralph and Ruth (Ecker) VanHorn, who both are deceased. He married Clarabelle Cole on June 16, 1961, and she survives in Celina. They were married 61 years.
He is survived by four daughters, Sandra VanHorn, Susan Cook, Sharon (Dave) Knous, and Sheila Gass, all of Celina; brother, Dale (Susan) Van Horn of McComb; four sisters, Juanita Cole of Tiffin, Barbara Roark of Findlay, May Chambers of Arlington, and Margaret Behnfeldt of Findlay; two sisters-in-law, Grace VanHorn of Findlay and Barbara VanHorn of Auburn, Indiana; six grandchildren, Tabitha (Devin) Dillinger, Jalen (Siearra) Knous, Amanda Cook, and Claire, Cramer, Campbelle Gass; and five great-grandchildren, Sophia, Elsie, J.J., and Archie Knous, and Elly Dillinger.
Richard was preceded in death by three brothers, Raymond "Jim", Allison "Al", and Dennis; four brothers-in-law, Alben "AW" Roark, Robert Chambers, Paul Cole, and Paul Behnfeldt; and son-in-law, Steve Cook.
He was a graduate of Wharton Local High School in Wyandot County. He was employed at Cooper Tire of Findlay. He proudly served our country in U.S Army Security Agency for three years in Germany.
He received life ordination in 1972 by Churches of God General Conference. He graduated from The University of Findlay and Winebrenner Seminary of Findlay. He served the university for 17 years as an active trustee and was a Trustee Emeritus. The university honored him by bestowing a Doctor of Divinity Degree. He was honored with a Distinguished Alumnus award.
Richard served three churches as senior pastor, Hopewell Church of God, Tiffin, Fairview Church of God, Yoder, Indiana, and Celina First Church of God for 20 years.
After his retirement in 1997, he continued to serve as interim pastor for five churches as they awaited their next senior pastor. Richard served the church for 51 years as a servant of God.
He had a big heart for Haiti and went to Haiti 16 different times to serve Project Help Missions, of the Churches of God. He experienced 9/11 bombing while in Haiti and was there during their earthquake.
He was privileged to attend Billy Graham School of Evangelism. He served the Churches of God in leadership roles in Ohio, Indiana, and The General Conference. Richard was an avid fisherman, hunter, electrician, and wood worker. He loved Ohio State, Detroit Tigers, Detroit Lions, and Celina Bulldogs. He loved his grandchildren and their many sports activities.
He was a member of Mt. Tabor Church of God, Celina Lions Club and Life Member of Celina V.F.W. Post #5713.
Richard's funeral will be 10:30 a.m. Friday, Oct. 28, 2022, at Mt. Tabor Church of God, with Pastor Stephen Whetstone and the Rev. Darwin Dunten officiating. Burial will follow at North Grove Cemetery, Celina, with military honors provided by Celina V.F.W. Post #5713 and Celina American Legion Post #210.
Friends may call 2-6 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 27, 2022, at Lehman-Dzendzel Funeral Home, Celina, and 9:30-10:30 a.m. Friday at the church.
Memorial contributions may be made to The House of Abraham Orphanage in Haiti, https://www.houseofabrahamhaiti.org.
Condolences may be shared with the VanHorn family online at LehmanDzendzelFH.com.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Published by The Courier on Oct. 25, 2022.
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