James Ringwald

James R. "Dick" Ringwald, 68, of Van Wert, died Wednesday afternoon, February 26, 2014, at his residence.

James R. "Dick" Ringwald He was born March 14, 1945, in Van Wert, the son of Virginia (Johnson) Ringwald, who survives in Delano, Minn., and the late John Ringwald. He married Jean (Zirkle) Ringwald, who survives in Van Wert. Other survivors include a son, David Ringwald of Belvidere, Ill.; and three sisters, Gloria (Larry) Schwartz of Spencerville, Becky Rase of Spencerville, and Kathryn (James) Adams of Delano, Minn. A sister, Tena Louise McDaniel, also preceded him in death.

Mr. Ringwald retired from the Perrysburg plant of Chrysler Corporation and also worked at Chrysler Amplex in Van Wert before that.

He was a member of First Presbyterian Church in Van Wert and was a church deacon at the time of his death. He was a member of the Toledo United Auto Workers. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army who served in Vietnam and was a member of American Legion Post 178 in Van Wert. He was a 1964 graduate of Spencerville High School and love to ride his Honda Gold Wing motorcycle, fish and visit with friends every morning for coffee.

Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Friday, March 7, at Alspach-Gearhart Funeral Home & Crematory in Van Wert, with the Rev. Hal Shafer officiating. Burial will be in Venedocia Cemetery, with graveside military honors performed by the combined units of Legion Post 178 and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5803, both of Van Wert. Calling hours are from 3-7 p.m. Thursday, March 6, at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to First Presbyterian Church, the USO or The Wounded Warrior Project.