Monday, October 24th, 2022
Richard VanHorn
Dr. Richard Ralph VanHorn age 84 was united with his Lord and Savior on Friday, October 21, 2022.
He was born February 4, 1938 to Ralph and Ruth (Ecker) VanHorn who both are deceased. On June 16, 1961 he married Clarabelle Cole, who survives living in Celina. They were married Sixty-One years.
He is survived by four daughters: Sandra VanHorn, Susan Cook, Sharon (Dave) Knous and Sheila Gass all of Celina. A brother Dale (Susan) Van Horn of McComb and four sisters; Juanita Cole of Tiffin, Barbara Roark of Findlay, May Chambers of Arlington, Margaret Behnfeldt of Findlay, and two sister-in-law Grace VanHorn of Findlay and Barbara VanHorn of Auburn, IN.
Deceased are three brothers Raymond "Jim", Allison "Al", Dennis and four brothers-in-law Alben "AW" Roark, Robert Chambers, Paul Cole, Paul Behnfeldt and his son-in-law Steve Cook.
He leaves behind six grandchildren Tabitha (Devin) Dillinger, Jalen (Siearra) Knous, Amanda Cook, Claire, Cramer, Campbelle Gass and Five great granddaughter Sophia, Elsie, J.J. and Archie Knous and Elly Dillinger.
He was a graduate of Wharton Local High School in Wyandot County. He was employed at Cooper tire of Findlay. He proudly served our country in the United States Army Security Agency for three years in Germany.
He received life ordination in 1972 by the Churches of God General Conference. He graduated from the University of Findlay and Winebrenner Seminary of Findlay. He served the University for seventeen years as an active trustee and was a Trustee Emeritus. The University Honored him by bestowing a Doctor of Divinity Degree. He was honored with a Distinguished Alumnus award.
Richard served three churches as Senior Pastor; Hopewell Church of God, Tiffin, Ohio, Fairview Church of God, Yoder, IN and the Celina First Church of God for twenty years.
After his retirement in 1997 he continued to serve as interim pastor for five Churches as they awaited their next Senior Pastor. Richard served the Church for fifty-one years as a servant of God.
He had a big heart for Haiti and went to Haiti sixteen different times to serve Project Help Missions, of the Churches of God. He experienced 9/11 bombing while in Haiti and was there during their earth quake.
He was privileged to attend Billy Graham School of Evangelism. He served the Churches of God in leadership roles in Ohio, Indiana and The General Conference.
Richard was an avid fisherman, hunter, electrician and wood worker. He loved Ohio State, Detroit Tigers, Detroit Lions and the Celina Bulldogs. He loved his grandchildren and their many sports activities. He was a member of the Mt. Tabor Church of God, the Celina Lions Club and a Life Member of the Celina V.F.W. Post #5713.
Funeral services for Richard will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, Oct. 28, 2022 at the Mt. Tabor Church of God, with Pastor Stephen Whetstone and Rev. Darwin Dunten officiating.
Burial will follow in the North Grove Cemetery in Celina, with Military Honors provided by the Celina V.F.W. Post #5713 and the Celina American Legion Post #210. Friends may call from 2:00p.m. until 8:00p.m. on Thursday, September 27, 2022 at the Lehman-Dzendzel Funeral Home in Celina and from 9:30 a.m. until the time of the services at the Church on Friday morning.
