Richard L. Schlea

Gibsonburg resident Richard L. Schlea, age 77, died early Thursday morning, February 7, 2008 at the emergency room of Memorial Hospital in Fremont.

Born on March 28, 1930 in Fremont to Albert and Vida (Ling) Schlea, Dick graduated in 1948 from the Gibsonburg High School, where he later returned to work and retired as its custodian. He was an Army veteran, serving during the Korean Conflict in 1952-53. Dick was a member of the Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church in Gibsonburg, the Gibsonburg Post of the American Legion, and the Fremont Eagles and Moose Lodges. He enjoyed playing golf, following the Gibsonburg High School sporting events and doing yard work.

On June 17, 1950, Richard married Jane C. Zimmerman at the Zion Lutheran Church. A wife of over 53 years, Jane died on March 28, 2004.

Richard is survived by children Gary (Roslyn Busdecker) Schlea and Amy Spanfellner, grandson Neil Spanfellner, special friend Carol Vermillion all of Gibsonburg and brother Jim (Carol) Schlea of Columbus. He is preceded in death by his grandson, Andrew Spanfellner and brother Kenneth Schlea.

Funeral services will be Monday, February 11, 10:30 a.m. at the Zion Lutheran Church, Gibsonburg where his body will lie in state for one hour before the service. Family and friends will be welcomed at the Herman-Kinn-Veh Funeral Home & Cremation Services on Sunday 2-4 & 6-8 p.m.

Burial will be at West Union Cemetery with military rites preformed by the Gibsonburg American Legion.

Memorials may be made to the church.