Richard H. McFann, age 92, of Oak Hill passed away peacefully surrounded by his family at home on Tuesday, March 9, 2021. He was born March 30, 1928 in Akron, OH to the late Frank and Addie Ward McFann. Living in Akron until the great depression hit, his family relocated to Waterloo and later moved to the Oak Hill area. A graduate of Oak Hill High School in 1947, he met and married his high school sweetheart, Margile Jenkins. They married on Aug. 4, 1948, his bride of 73 years preceded him in death on Aug. 14, 2020.
He is survived by a daughter, Portia (Gary) Thomas; two sons, Richard Dennis (Cathie) McFann and Robert Eric (Yvonne) McFann, all of Oak Hill; grandchildren, Marlo and Kent Yarnall, Trevor and Lucy Thomas, Matthew and April McFann, Bronwyn and Rick Patterson, Trent and Lachelle Thomas, Mallory and Tyler Williams and Madison and Cody Lester; great grandchildren, Moriah (Taylor) Waller, Meagan Yarnall, Brady Thomas, Paige Patterson, Bailee Thomas, Mason Thomas, Blake Patterson, Aubree Thomas, Brailon McFann, Tanner Thomas, Teegan Thomas, Braxton Williams, Marley Yarnall, Kensington Lester, Emilee Lewis, and Carter Lewis.
Also surviving are his siblings, Jean and Jack Kemp, Carol and Eldon Burris, Darrell and Jane McFann, Alan and Tina McFann; brothers-in-law, Bill Simmering and Ron Conley, as well as half brothers and sisters, Marlin Lovett, Beverly Strickland, Donnie Lovett, Rosie Sherman and a host of nieces, nephews and family members, as well as his caregivers, Donna Kelly, Sherry Angel and Sheila Miller.
In addition to his parents and wife, he was preceded in death by his siblings: Virginia (Ed) Holt, Glenn (Betty) McFann, Francis Simmering, Opal (Gene) Carter and Barbara Conley.
Richard, being a true child of the depression, could take nothing and make it into something. He was a true craftsman. He wasted nothing and was the most content person you could have ever known. He was thrifty and generous at the same time and could spin a tale like no other. His faith in God was strong and he was always ready to do his part for the church and his church family at Faith United Methodist Church. In his early years, he became a Christian and joined the Evangelical United Brethren Church, and over the years he served as Janitor, Sunday School Teacher for Young Men’s Class, Youth Counselor and Trustee till his death. He would often speak of shoveling snow and stoking the furnace. He touched many, serving as he was asked in his quiet and concerned way with knowledge and council not only physically, but spiritually. Leading by example, his faith in God supported him through many illnesses and surgeries.
His love for his family began the moment he knew you were part of his family. He became “Papaw” for the first time in 1969. From that day on you could count on him, along with Mamaw, to be at as many events as possible to watch the kids perform, grow and learn. He could sit and play for hours sharing stories, songs and snacks with all of his grandchildren. Richard learned at an early age that you had to work to get anywhere in life. He started helping a neighbor as a young boy, later joining his father in building the family home. Helping to provide for his siblings at the age of 14, he worked part time with a local builder and later became a pattern maker at the Oak Hill Foundry for 18 years. After a serious back injury he worked at the Davis Firebrick Company for 18 years before joining his son, Eric in forming the R & E McFann Construction Company, fulfilling a long-awaited dream. He continued to work right up to age 90. He and his wife Margile, worked side by side. Both being part of the business and remodeling and managing rental properties they had acquired over the years. They were a true team. They loved to travel and often were known to go to Tennessee to care for the great granddaughters at a moment’s notice.
Friends may call Sunday, March 14, 2021 from 12 to 2 p.m. at the funeral home. Funeral services will follow immediately at 2 p.m. with Pastor Rebecca Wingo Bowling officiating. Burial will follow in C.M. Cemetery in Oak Hill. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions should be sent to Faith United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 474, Oak Hill, Ohio 45656.
Online condolences may be sent to www.lewisgillum.com