Richard Sluyter

Richard Wayne Sluyter of Grabill, Indiana passed away on Sunday March 6, 2022 at the age of 89. Richard was born in Buffalo, Indiana on March 5, 1933.

Richard worked with his father in the family automotive garage and later became a mechanic in Fort Wayne. He loved helping people find their problems and fix them. He later owned his own Construction company and built homes for many years. He also worked with a local cabinet company running his molding department. Richard was the local beekeeper for many years. It was his passion and with each jar of honey sold, he gained a new friend. He loved sharing about his bees with his grandkids and anyone with an ailment because Honey always makes everything better and that was his motto. He was an avid hunter which he shared with many people over his lifetime. Annual trips to Wyoming were some of his favorite memories. He was a wonderful father, grandfather and great grandfather who shared the wisdom he gained with several generations. He was so proud to watch his family grow and to catch a glimpse of himself in their lives.

Richard is survived by his wife, Nancy; along with children John (Rhina) Sluyter, Cheri Wallace, Deborah (Barry) Lessing, and Brenda (Tom) Johnson; 15 grandchildren; and 28 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his wife Clara, parents Marral and Agnes, sister Helen Jean, brother Donald, and two great-grandchildren Graham Lessing and Hayden Kryder.

A funeral will be held at 3 PM, Monday, March 14, 2022 at Grabill Missionary Church, 13637 State Street, Grabill, Indiana, with Pastor Scott Davis officiating. All are invited to attend. Additionally, there will be a graveside service for Richard at the Buffalo Cemetery in Buffalo, Indiana on Wednesday March 16, 2022 at 11 am.

Visitation will be two hours prior to the funeral, from 1 to 3 PM, on Monday at the church.

People wishing to honor Richard's lifelong commitment to family and community can make donations to the Gateway Woods Apostolic Christians Children's Home, PO Box 151 Leo, IN 46765.

To share in Richard's online memorial, please visit www.alspachgearhart.com.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Alspach-Gearhart Funeral Home & Crematory, 722 S Washington Street, Van Wert, OH 45891.