Richard Elwood Ohler

RICHARD ELWOOD OHLER, 84, of 1043 Spruce Street, Hagerstown, Maryland, died on Monday, February 7, 2011 at his home. Born January 27, 1927 in Hagerstown, Maryland, he was the son of the late Grover Melroy and Mary Sherley Ohler. He was employed as Plant Supervisor with Danzer Metal Works for over forty years, and was also employed with Tri-Fab Inc. He was an avid outdoorsman. He loved to hunt, fish, boat, hike and go camping. He loved to play his banjo; loved to garden and share the harvest with neighbors and to make homemade wine from his grape harvest. He was a ferocious reader and civil war buff. He fixed just about anything and loved wood carving. After retirement, he did parttime machinist work with Ohler Enterprises. He was a Boy Scout leader for Troop 101 for fifteen years. He received Honored Vigil Recognition in "Order of the Arrow". He participated in Wood-badge leadership. He was a member of American Dewar Team, and was nationally recognized as a rifle marksman, and was a Maryland State small bore rifle champion. He was a great athlete and played semi-pro football. He is survived by his wife of fifty-nine years, Claudine; one daughter, Jean Marie Clark of Harrisonburg, Virginia; two sons, James Richard Ohler of Severna Park, Maryland, and John Lewis Ohler, and wife, Jodi, of Easton, Maryland; grandchildren, Jonathan Clark, and fianc, Ruthie Mehegan, Katherine Clark Johnson, and husband, Travis, Sarah Grace Ohler, Justin Taylor Ohler, and Joshua James Ohler; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by three sisters, Romaine Stoner, Jettie Beckley, and Doris Crumbacker; and one brother, Thurman Ohler. A memorial service will be held at 7:00 p. m. Thursday, February 10, 2011 at the Minnich Funeral Home, 415 East Wilson Boulevard, Hagerstown. The Rev. Mike Henning will officiate. Burial will be at the convenience of the family. Family will receive friends at the funeral home on Thursday from 6 to 7 p. m. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Hospice of Washington County, 747 Northern Avenue, Hagerstown, MD 21742 or St. Andrews United Methodist Church, 1020 Maryland Avenue, Hagerstown, MD 21740.