Richard S. Barr Sr., 83, 1007 Emerald Ave., Coldwater, died at 5 a.m. May 7, 2009, at Mercer County Community Hospital, Coldwater.

He was born June 12, 1925, in Nashville, Tenn., to the late Morris Egan and Julia Shannon Ditto-Barr. On Jan. 24, 1948, he married Janice Solms Barr, who survives.

Other survivors are three sons, Richard S. Barr Jr., Coldwater, Dan (Georgene) Knapke, Tipp City, and Larry (Lorraine) Knapke, Coldwater; nine grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren.

Deceased are a a brother, Morris Barr Jr.; a half brother, James Ditto; and a sister, Julia Barr-Johnson.

He graduated from Father Ryan High School in Nashville, Tenn., and the University of Dayton. He taught and coached at Marion Local High School in Maria Stein and Coldwater elementary and high schools. He sold textbooks for several publishing companies and was a member of Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Coldwater. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army serving as a front line surgical technician from 1943 to 1945. He was a member of Coldwater American Legion, Coldwater Veterans of Foreign Wars and a charter member of Mercer County Elks Lodge. He and his wife were the first directors of Coldwater Memorial Park.

Funeral Mass is 10:30 a.m. Saturday at the church, the Rev. Ronald Wilker officiating. His body was donated to Wright State University School of Medicine Anatomical Gift Program.

Contributions can be made to Coldwater Memorial Park.

Arrangements are being handled by Hogenkamp Funeral Home, Coldwater.

Condolences can be left at www.hogenkampfh.com.