Richard Gordon "Dick" France

Richard G. France, 84, of Massillon, passed away peacefully, while surrounded by his family, Sunday evening, December 15, 2024.  Born August 26, 1940, in the family’s Moffitt Heights home, a son to the late Oscar D. and Eva L. (Bailey) France, Dick graduated from Washington High School with the Class of 1958.  He served honorably in the US Army and shortly afterward, began a career with the Ohio Department of Transportation that lasted until his retirement in 1996.

A devoted husband, and a loving and supportive dad, grandpa and great-grandpa, Dick attended Moreland United Methodist Church in Wooster.  He placed his wife, his daughters, and his extended family at the center of his life, doing all he could as a responsible steward to provide for and protect what God had given him.

Dick was an undeniably hard worker – but he knew how to have fun.  He loved the outdoors, loved to hunt, and fish, loved animals; he enjoyed boating, being out on the water, and any opportunity for travel.  He was a founding member of the Tiger Town Boat & Ski Club and a past commander (1991) of the Stark County Power Squadron.

Predeceased by his parents, sister, Dorothy, brother, Donald, a great-grandson, Hunter, and a dear niece, Mary Mable Hardesty; Dick is survived by his wife of nearly 61 years, Patricia Ann (Singhaus) France – they married December 28, 1963; their daughters, Victoria (Richard) Caillet, of Dalton, and Jennifer (Louis) Yoder, of Fredericksburg; grandchildren, Lindsey (Jacob) Gore, Rick (Kady) Caillet, Tyler (Jessica) Beckel, and Collin (Amber) Yoder; great-grandchildren, Axel, Riley, Archer, Reed, Evee, Maisie and Liam.

Funeral services, including military honors, will be conducted at 1:00 p.m. Saturday, December 21, 2024, at Atkinson Feucht Hare Funeral Home in Massillon.  The family will receive condolences one hour prior to the services, from 12:00-1:00 p.m.  Pastor Jennifer Darling-Mellott and Rev. Bob Stull of Moreland UMC will officiate.  Cremation will follow with private inurnment at Rose Hill Memorial Gardens.

The family has suggested memorial contributions to the Wayne County Humane Society (https://www.wchs.org) or the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

Your memories and condolences are always welcome and mya be added here to Dick’s on-line guestbook.        

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