Richard E. Haines, Jr., 87, of St. Marys, OH passed away at 9:03 p.m. Thursday June 13, 2019 at Otterbein-St.Marys.

He was born January 31, 1932 to Richard and Helen (Dicke) Haines, Sr., in Dayton, OH where he grew up and graduated from Fairview High School. Later, he returned to college and graduated from Sinclair in Dayton.

During his younger years, Dick would help relatives to farm in the New Bremen and St. Marys areas. It was his dream to become a farmer, until he was stricken with polio at the age of 17.

It was during the summer that he met Donna Jean Howell at a dance. They married June 10, 1951 at the Wayne Street United Methodist Church in St. Marys and then moved to Dayton.

Survivors include his daughter, Deborah (Dennis) Stienecker and his son, Richard E. (Linda) Haines III, both of St. Marys. Grandchildren include Julie (Keith) Jacobs, Richard Haines IV, Kelli Tebbe, Angela (Geoff) Lee, and Krissy (Bo) Frye. He is also survived by 10 great-grandchildren and a nephew, Jayson E. Haines. Dick's close extended family included sisters-in-law: Gloria Spicer, Emily Leonhard, Marilyn (Luke) Gibbens and brother-in-law Ron dec'd (Judy) Howell. Additional cousins include Bob (Betty) Dietrich, Linda (Mike) Hirschfeld, Chris (Jim) Campbell and Lou (Joellen) Driggs.

Richard was preceded in death by his parents Richard and Helen Haines, Sr., wife Donna Howell Haines, brother John Haines and nephew Matthew Haines.

He retired from B & B House of Carpet in Celina, OH. During his years in Dayton, he worked as an accountant and salesman for Lowe Bros. Paint. In 1970, he opened Town and Country Decorating and Dari-Whip (located on S. Wayne Street in St. Marys).

He was a member of Wayne Street United Methodist Church (where he had served as Board President), VFW Post #9289, Mercer Lodge F & AM #121 and Ancient and Accepted Order of the Scottish Rite (Valley of Dayton).

Dick enjoyed sitting in his driveway visiting with those passing by. He never missed an episode of "The Young and the Restless" or "The Bold and the Beautiful". He was an avid OSU Football fan and, of course, supported the St. Marys Roughriders! Wednesday afternoons, he would go to the VFW, where he was known as "Julio" to his friends.

Dick and Donna took great pride in the lives and activities of all their grandchildren and great-grandchildren, having attended various events all over the United States.

Funeral rites are scheduled to begin at 1:00 p.m. Thursday June 20, 2019 at the Miller Funeral Home 1605 Celina Road (Ohio 703 West Chapel) in St. Marys. Burial will follow at the Elm Grove Cemetery in St. Marys.

Visitation 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. on Wednesday at the funeral home.

Memorial contributions may be directed to either the Roughriders Philanthropic Association or Grand Lake Hospice.

Condolences may be expressed to his family via: www.millerfuneralhomes.net.