Clarence "Delver" Richards

Clarence Delver Richards, age 96, passed away peacefully on Sunday, April 14th at Holzer Hospital Inpatient Hospice after several months of failing health. He was born December 2, 1927 in Bloomfield Township to the late Clarence S. Richards and Mabel E. (Davis) Richards. Welcomed into the family home by three sisters, now deceased: Evelyn Nelson, Mary Edna Zinn, and Darlene Lyons. Five brothers followed, three now deceased: Hayden Duane Richards (in infancy), John H. Richards and Alfred L. Richards. He is survived by two brothers: Glendon Richards of Springfield, Ohio and David (Kaye) Richards of Pharr, Texas.Following his graduation from Bloomfield High School in 1945, he moved to Columbus and worked at the Jeffrey Manufacturing Company. He was a faithful attendee of the Bloomfield Alumni gathering, only missing during his military service and later when his poor health made it difficult.He proudly served his country from 1950-1952 in the U.S. Army during the Korean Conflict attaining the rank of Sergeant First Class. He was a member of the 27th Infantry Division, nicknamed the “Wolf Hounds” seeing active duty at the frontlines of the war. He was a lifelong member of the American Legion Post 81. Upon returning from his military duty, he met and married the love of his life, Betty J. Bloss on July 4, 1954. They had 69 happily married years together. Surviving him, along with his wife are daughter Nina R. (Steven) Keller and son, Eric (Terri) Richards, grandson Jacob Matthew Richards and granddaughter Taylor Jordan Richards, both of Columbus. Also, foster grandsons Isiah Simmons of Columbus, Andrew Griffith of Texas, and step-grandson Christopher Keller of Wellston.Delver was raised in the Vega Methodist Church and later joined The First Presbyterian Church of Jackson where he sang in the choir for many years, played guitar with the Praise Band and was an Elder on the Board of Session.Many Jackson residents will remember him as an agent for the Western and Southern Life Insurance Company at a time when agents had a weekly route to collect premiums and got to the know the people they were collecting from. He always had coloring books for the young ones. He retired from Western and Southern after 29 years on the job. He was a member of Jackson Lions Club. His lifelong love of music, especially country, started early in his life when his sister bought a guitar with “green stamps”. He would play and sing whenever the opportunity arose. He became a popular square dance caller throughout southern Ohio, specializing in singing calls for the hoe down style of square dancing. He and Betty also were members of the Wagon Wheelers Square Dancers for 43 years and he often held dances at the Wagon Wheelers Hall. Many a weekend was spent camping and singing around the campfire with the Rolling Buckeyes and then the Jackson Camping Club. He and Betty were long time members of the National Campers and Hikers Association. Family vacations took them all over the United States. He will be remembered for his love of family, often talking with his brothers about their youth on the farm. He often said “We have had a good life, done lots of things others don’t get to do, and we have a wonderful family, what more can you ask for?”. Funeral services will be held Sunday, April 21st at 1:00 pm at Mayhew-Brown Funeral Home in Jackson. Burial will follow in Fairmount Cemetery. The family will receive friends on Saturday, April 20th from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm and prior to the services on Sunday. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.mayhew-brownfuneralhome.com.

Clarence "Delver" Richards

December 2, 1927 - April 14, 2024