Richard F. Dickman, age 88 of Batesville, died Friday, September 7, 2018 at Margaret Mary Health. Born May 22, 1930 in Franklin County Indiana, he is the son of Catherine (Nee: Rahe) and Herman Dickman. He served in the army during the Korean War and after the service married Irene Hornbach June 19, 1954 at St. Martin’s Church in Yorkville, Indiana. He spent nearly twenty years at National Lead of Ohio (Fernald) before finishing his working career as a supervisor at Batesville Casket Company, retiring in 1995 after 25 years.
Richard’s passion was his family. He served God and his country. Most of his life was devoted to providing for and spending time with family. To support a growing family he raised livestock, planted a large garden, sold ricks of wood and farmed the land to supplement his day job. The grandkids will always remember trips to the farm, jamming all the way there to a cassette of Alabama blaring. Hours were spent with his children and grandchildren in building tree houses, sand boxes, play houses, and swing sets. He was always there as an electrician or handy man to help his kids with their first home or remodeling projects. He never hesitated to help a neighbor or a friend in need. He enjoyed auctions and yard sales with Irene. They had great fun with finding unique “treasures.” Irene, who knew him for 68 years, simply describes him as “The Best”. The annual family campouts became a cherished tradition spanning over 40 years. Through the years when he was asked, “What do you want for your birthday?” He would reply, “Nothing. I have everything.” In seeing his family, the many successes and rewards of his legacy are apparent. His family was it. He never let other priorities detract him from his greatest calling as a husband, dad, grandfather, and great grandfather.
He is survived by his wife Irene; daughters and sons-in-laws Karen and Dave Snuffer of Shelbyville, Indiana, Mara and Steve Kruthaupt of Batesville, Ellen and Jeff Paul of Oldenburg, Shelia and Tim Merkel of Cincinnati, Geralyn and Gary Litzinger of Hamburg, Colleen and Greg Doll of Morris, Carmen and Gary Belter of Batesville, Nancy and Gus Kinker of Greensburg, Ann and Tim Sweeney of Greensburg; sons and daughter-in-law Dennis Dickman of Greensburg, Daniel and Rhonda Dickman of Batesville; sister Shirley Suttman of Batesville; brother Alvin Dickman of Batesville; 29 grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren. In addition to his parents, he is also preceded in death by son Brian Dickman; sister Sylvia Fuentes; brothers Louis and Eugene “Toolie” Dickman; grandson Zach Litzinger and daughter-in-law Mary Dickman.
Visitation is Wednesday, September 12th, from 4 – 7 p.m. at the Weigel Funeral Home. Funeral services are 10 a.m. Thursday, September 13th, at St. Louis Church with Rev. Stan Pondo officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery with military rites conducted by the Ripley County V.F.W. Post #3183 and the Prell-Bland American Legion Post #271. The family requests memorials to St. Louis School or the Zachary A. Litzinger Memorial Scholarship Fund.