Richard J. "Dick" Simon, 83, of Elm Street, Fort Loramie, died Jan. 2, 2010, at Lima Memorial Hospital, following a two month illness.

He was born on June 15, 1926, in Willowdell, to Leo A. and Clara Ellen Barga Simon. On May 31, 1952, he married Shirley Vanderhorst, who survives.

Other survivors are five children, Juli Simon, Fort Loramie, Karen (Tony) Wendeln, Piqua, Rick (Darthea) Simon, Cincinnati, Keith Simon, Fort Loramie, and Connie (Doug) Woodruff, Athens; a brother John "JP" (Jeanne) Simon, Versailles; a sister-in-law, Mary Ellen Simon, Versailles; and five grandchildren.

Deceased are five siblings, Helen and husband, Vince Muzleski, Doris and husband, Ed Kowaleski, Kathleen Simon, Robert Simon and Mary Jane and her husband, Bob Magoto.

He worked and managed Willowdell Sales Company, selling Oldsmobile and John Deere products for over fifty years. He served on the Fort Loramie Board of Public Affairs, was a member of St. Michael Catholic Church in Fort Loramie and served as a Eucharistic Minister. He was a member of the Fort Loramie Community Service Club (formerly Kiwanis Club) from its founding, a charter member of G.Y.M., Inc. and a member of the St. Denis Council of the Knights of Columbus. He was a 1945 graduate of Versailles High School and a graduate of the Miami-Jacobs Junior College.

Funeral Mass is 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, at the church, the Rev. Steven Shoup officiating. Burial is at the church cemetery.

Calling is 2-8 p.m. Tuesday and 9-10 a.m. Wednesday at Gehret Funeral Home in Fort Loramie.

Contributions can be made to the Fort Loramie Rescue Squad or the Fort Loramie Education Foundation.

Condolences can be left at www.gehretfuneralhome.com