Richard I. Esmonde, 95, of Saint Marys, died Wednesday, November 3, 2021, at Saint Ritas Medical Center, Lima.

He was born October 11, 1926, in Lima, the son of Alva and Ethel (Zimmerman) Esmonde. He married Betty Jean Wilhelmy on January 17, 1947, and she preceded him in death on August 3, 1995.

He is survived by his children: Alan (Kim) Esmonde of Lima; Dorothy (Phil) Brill of Pulaski, Tennessee; Richard (Monica) Esmonde of Nolansville, Tennessee; William (Leigh) Esmonde of Sumpter, North Carolina; Mary Esmonde of Crossville, Tenn; Timothy Esmonde of Anchorage, Alaska; Martha Arehart of Luguoff, South Carolina; David Esmonde of Saint Marys; Patricia (Dan) Cook of Saint Marys. He is also survived by 21 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; 7 great-great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife; siblings: Wilbur Esmonde, Annabelle Shepherd and Dona Bougham; by his long time companion, Margaret Morris.

Richard was a 1944 graduate of Pandora-Gilboa High School. He was a veteran of the US Navy, serving in WWII, and also in the Naval Reserves. He retired from Avco New Idea in Coldwater, Ohio. He was an avid history buff, and loved the Saint Marys Roughriders. He was a lifemember of VFW Post 9289.

Funeral rites will be held 6:00 P.M. Tuesday, November 9, 2021, at the Miller-Long and Folk Funeral Home, 314 West High Street, Saint Marys. Burial will be held in Crossville, Tennessee.

Friends may call from 3-6 P.M. Tuesday at the funeral home, where memorial gifts may be given to the Auglaize County Council on Aging.

Condolences may be sent to Richard's family via Millerfuneralhomes.net.