James Richard "Dick" Mustard, 88, 940 S. Elm St., Celina, died at 4:13 p.m. Sept. 14, 2009, at St. Rita's Medical Center, Lima.

He was born March 6, 1921, in St. Marys to James Roy and Helen Elizabeth Siebenaler Mustard. On Sept. 11, 1943, he married Rosina Marsh, who died May 6, 1999.

Surviving are four sons, J.R. (Jane) Mustard, Charles (Donna) Mustard and Jack Mustard, all of Celina, and William Mustard, Rushville, Ind.; 13 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.

Deceased are two sisters, Gloria Morgan and Martha Kreischer.

He worked for the former Gary Group Telephone Company, St. Marys, starting from the position of lineman and moving through the ranks to management with the General Telephone Company in Celina, Sylvania, Ashland, Belleview and Bryan until his retirement in 1981. He was a member of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Celina, the Lion's Club, American Legion Commander and Scoutmaster in Convoy, as well as a member of the area Scouting District Council Staff. He served as president of the St. Marys Rotary Club, Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Legion, Athletic Booster Club President, Knights of Columbus Grand Knight and 4th Degree member, all in Celina. He was a charter member of the Independent Telephone Pioneer Association, National Veterans of "42" Rainbow Division organization and co-founder of the nationwide A.C.M.E. youth baseball program. He was drafted into the U.S. Army Aug. 20, 1942 as a part of the 42nd Rainbow Division, Third Army. He was released from service March 14, 1946, after rising to the rank of T-Sergeant, and having been awarded two bronze stars for valor, combat infantry badge, three battle stars and others while he commanded a 14-man front line communications crew in Germany and Central Europe.

Funeral Mass is 10:30 a.m. Friday at the church, the Rev. Richard Riedel officiating. Burial is at the St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery, Celina.

Calling is 2-8 p.m. Thursday at Lehman-Hogenkamp-Dzendzel Funeral Home, Celina.

Contributions can be made to the church endowment fund.