Edwin E. Richards

Edwin E. Richards, 93, of Harpersfield, Ohio passed away on June 4, 2026 at the Jefferson Healthcare Center, surrounded by his loved ones.

He was born in Saybrook, Ohio on March 6, 1933 to Eugene and Mabel Richards. He graduated from Ashtabula High School and went on to proudly serve in the U.S. Army from 1953 to 1956 in Alaska as a Military Police officer. He also served as the Wildlife Ranger for the area.

Ed married Patricia (Popour) Richards in 1956. They were married for 46 years and raised their family in Harpersfield, Ohio. He enjoyed hunting, fishing and camping with family when he was younger, and was an avid Cleveland Indians fan. Ed was also a very skilled and meticulous home builder, remodeler and carpenter. He was known as a kind and gentle man who lent a helping hand to anyone in need. Ed was hard-working, ethical and fair-minded. His true calling was as an agrarian. He loved anything related to land, farming and the rural lifestyle.

Ed and Patricia owned and maintained 34 acres of grapes in the 1960s and 1970s. He was a well-known and respected member of the Ohio Grape Grower’s Association. In addition to maintaining the vineyards, he worked at True Temper in Saybrook and then as a plant manager for STP’s BeKan facility in Painesville. In 1979, he and Patricia relocated to the Phoenix, Arizona area, where Ed was a plant manager for a truss manufacturing company. Ed and Patricia also lived a few retirement years in Manistique, Michigan with a summer home in south Texas, then returning again to Arizona. They traveled throughout the United States and Europe.

Later in retirement, Ed resided with his daughter Rene for many years in Phoenix and Prescott Valley. They attended numerous spring training baseball games and traveled to other states to watch his favorite teams. In 2018, Ed returned to his hometown and he cherished several years of companionship with Marilyn Strubbe. He valued time spent with family, old and new friends, and Marilyn’s family. His grandchildren and great-grandchildren were a blessing, saying they kept him young. He was an active member of the Platt R. Spencer Historical Society and was involved with the restoration of the Spencer homestead in Geneva.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his sisters Joyce White and Rachel Querry; and his daughter Kay Stapley.

He is survived by his daughters Leanna Springer, Leslie Richards-Querry (Clint), and Rene Wilson; his grandchildren Mason Stapley, Chase Westerman (Kayla), and Taylor Fullington; his great-grandchildren Korben and Stevie; his brother Lloyd Richards (Judy); and many nieces and nephews.

A graveside service will be held at the Harpersfield Cemetery on June 13, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. (Bring a lawn chair).

Special thanks are given to the wonderful care provided to him by the staff at Jefferson Healthcare Center.

Lake Erie Cremation & Funeral Services, 1500 Harpersfield Rd, Geneva, OH 44041, assisted the family with arrangements.

www.LakeErieCrematory.com