Paul E. Richardson died at 7:45 p.m., June 4, 2015 at Otterbein Care Center, Cridersville.

He was born on June 26, 1925, to Harry and Hazel (Dreitzler) Richardson in Allen County.

Paul attended Harrod High School. He married Betty Jean Rose on Feb. 2, 1942. They were married 73 years. He was a member of the the Mt. Zion Baptist Church. He was very active in Harrod FFA, where he assisted the chapter on several trips to Kansas City and Chicago for exhibitions.

He was voted “Farmer of the Year” in Allen County in 1958. He retired from farming in 1970 and started selling farm equipment. 

Surviving are wife and three children: Diana (Jon) Rex of Harrod, Gary (Deb) Richardson of Harrod and Paul “Bud” (Mary) Richardson, Jr. of Alger; nine grandchildren, 35 great grandchildren and 11 great-great grandchildren; a brother, Brice (June) Richardson of Harrod.

He was preceded in death by a great granddaughter, Jordan Richardson, and a sister, Ruth Gossard.

A funeral service will begin at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, June 9, at Hanson-Neely Funeral Home, Ada with Rev. Tom Casey officiating. Burial will be in Salem Cemetery in Westminster, Ohio.

Friends may call from 2-8 p.m. on Monday, June 8, at Hanson-Neely Funeral Home, Ada and one hour prior to the service on Tuesday at the funeral home.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Rita’s Hospice and/or Mt. Zion Baptist Church of Harrod.