Richard LaRue
September 20, 1926 — November 2, 2017
CONVOY, Ohio — Richard Edward LaRue, 91, of Convoy, died at 11:36 a.m. Thursday, Nov 2, 2017, at Van Wert Area Inpatient Hospice Center. He had resided at Vancrest Assisted Living since April 2016.
He was born Sept. 20, 1926, in Van Wert County, to the late Earl and Hazel (Myers) LaRue Miller.
He married Marlyn Erven on April 24, 1948, at St Paul’s Lutheran Church in Fort Wayne, Indiana. She preceded him in death on Feb. 18, 2013.
Mr. LaRue graduated from Convoy High School. He started working at the Continental Can Company in 1945 and worked there for 42 years, retiring in 1987.
He was a member of Redeemer Lutheran Church, Convoy.
He was the best dad. He enjoyed woodworking and made a grandfather clock for each of his children. In retirement, he and Marlyn traveled and spent winters in Mission, Texas, for many years. Several years they were campground host and hostess in Maine.
Richard is survived by two sons, Stephen LaRue of Tucson, Arizona, and Chris (Julie) LaRue of Convoy, and four daughters, Peggy (Ed) Fritz of New Haven, Indiana, Susan Gunsett of Van Wert, Ohio, Jill (Don) Carrier and Jean (Scott) Dickman of Convoy; 12 grandchildren, Kelly(Chad) Marks, Malissa (Brad) Schlieman, Michelle(Joe) Schaller, Michael (Cristy) Fritz, Adam Carrier, Brad (Ashley) Carrier, Mark (Cara) Carrier, Kevin (Missy) Dickman, Kristin (Curt) Oechsle, Kari (Matt) Plessinger, Matthew LaRue (Rachel Armstrong) and Brooke (Justin) Hines; 13 great-grandchildren, and one on the way.
Richard was preceded in death by brother, Lavon LaRue; sisters, Pauline LaRue and Helen Coulter; a grandson, Derek Gunsett; son-in-law, Jack Gunsett; daughter-in-law, Joan LaRue; and step-father, William Miller.
Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday, Nov. 6, 2017, at Redeemer Lutheran Church, Convoy. The Rev. Michael Saylor will officiate, assisted by Rev. Robert Becker. Burial will take place at Convoy I.O.O.F. Cemetery.
Visitation will be 2 - 6 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 5, 2017, at Gearhart-Jurczyk Funeral Home, Convoy, and one hour prior to services Monday at the church.
Preferred memorials may be directed to Redeemer Lutheran Church or Van Wert Inpatient Hospice Center.
Online condolences may be expressed at: www.alspachgearhart.com.