Ronald Richards (77)

Ronald Richards, 77, of Emmaus, died Friday, Jan. 4, in the Lehigh Valley Hospital, Salisbury Township, after a prolonged illness. He was the husband of 56 years of Dorothy (Holton) Richards, who was formerly of Racine, Wis.

The couple met while Ronald served in the U.S. Navy. He spent time aboard the U.S.S. Pictor.

Born in Coaldale, he was the youngest son of the late Norman and Hilda Richards.

He was a 1953 graduate of the former Coaldale High School, where he participated in sports.Upon the end of his service to his country, he moved his family to Emmaus and began to work for Air Products. He later went on to own and operate a jewelry store for 48 years.

He was active member for many years in the Emmaus Rotary and Emmaus Masonic Lodge. He was a past member of the Emmaus Booster Club and past football and basketball official in the PIAA.

Surviving in addition to his widow are five daughters, Gail, wife of Wayne Phillips of New Tripoli, Carol J. Richards-Brown, and her husband, Charles, of Zionsville, Shari, wife of Mark Weinsheimer of Ephrata, Susan Wentz of Summit Hill and Barbra, wife of James Stephens of Middletown, Del.; 10 grandchildren, Richard Gair II, David Gair, Kristin Brown, Jaclyn Phillips, Brianne Stephens, Zachary Brown, Ashley Wentz, Matthew Brown, James R. Stephens and William Mitchell; two great-grandsons, Ryan and Connor; two brothers, Clarence in Florida and Evan of Coaldale; a sister-in-law, Joan Richards in Florida; and many nieces, nephews, friends, business associates and customers. There are also many in-laws still living in the Wisconsin area.

Service: Funeral service 10 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 10, Bachman, Kulik and Reinsmith Funeral Home, 225 Elm St., Emmaus. Interment, Sky-View Memorial Park, Hometown. Call 7-9 p.m. Wednesday and 9:30-10 a.m. Thursday. Masonic services 8:30 p.m. Wednesday.

.Published in Times News on January 7, 2013