Richard M. Harding

RICHARD M. "Dick" HARDING, age 90, of Beavercreek, Ohio, passed away peacefully December 13, 2008 at Hospice of Dayton. Born on April 2, 1918 in Argos, IN, he was the son of the late Ferman & Ines (Minor) Harding. Dick graduated from Patterson Co-Op High School in 1937 and later attended Wright State University. He served in the U.S. Navy during WW II and was active in the Boy Scouts as a troop leader in Lewisburg, OH. He retired from KETCO in Beavercreek. He loved working with his hands and has done things from building an airplane from scratch and helping build a full size replica of the Wright B. Flyer, to restoring a cabin cruiser and building a boat from scratch which he couldn't get out of the basement because it was too big. He started restoring a "Boat Tail" Auburn automobile (which his son Dick is continuing) and built a Mercedes from scratch. He even built a "Side Winder" dragster that won a trophy because it was the only "Side Winder" that showed up in the race. He has made many different styles of wooden clocks and has worked with stained glass and made beautiful lamp shades. He made historic muzzle loading guns for his grandsons and historic doll houses for his granddaughters. All lovingly carved by hand. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather.

Preceded in death by one grandson, John Mehall and a daughter-in-law Helen (Tatone) Harding, sisters: Jeanie Shoemaker and Jackie Grissom.

Survived by his loving wife of 69 years, Mary (Bennett) Harding; children: Richard (Helen) Harding, Beavercreek, OH, Sharon (Robert) Stevens, Dayton, OH, Robert (Barbara) Harding, Evergreen, CO and Douglas (Zinny) Harding, Miamisburg, OH. Grandchildren: Mary Ann (Steve) Gerbic, Rich (Keeley) Harding, Jesse Harding, Angela (Steven) Niswander, Mike Harding, Adam Harding, Emily Harding and Paul (Courtney) Harding. Step grandchildren: Ivan (Angie) Bennett, Marie (Jason) Chambers, Amy (Brett) Wenzler. Great grandchildren: Alex, Maria, Gabbie, A.J., Adrienne, Joey, Allison and Eric Gerbic, Christopher Harding and Logan and Hannah Niswander. Step great grandchildren: Alex Bennett, Jack and Nick Chambers and Morgan Wenzler all of the Dayton area. Sister: Elaine Simonton, CA. Many nieces, nephews and cousins and host of friends.

Funeral Service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, December, 17, 2008 at Barnes Funeral Home - 411 North Commerce Street - Lewisburg, Ohio with Rev. David O. Justis officiating. Interment will be held in Roselawn Cemetery in Lewisburg with full military services by the Preble County Honor Guard. Family will receive friends on Tuesday, December 16, 2008 from 4:00 - 7:00 P.M. at the funeral home and one hour prior to service. Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Dayton, 324 Wilmington Ave, Dayton, OH 45420. Condolences may be sent to the family via the Web site at www.barnesfuneralhome.com