Ronald D. Rarick

Ronald Dean Rarick, 82, of Bucyrus, died Wednesday, Jan. 27, 2016, at Mount Carmel West Hospital, Columbus, following a nine-day hospitalization. He had been in declining health since November, and suffered from Parkinson’s Disease the last two years.



He was born in Bucyrus April 22, 1933 to Foster Dean and Edith (Judy) Rarick, both deceased. Ron married Marlene Rae (Starner) May 12, 1949 in Greenup, Ky. They enjoyed 64 years of marriage until Marlene's death Dec. 27, 2013.



Surviving are two children, Michael Dean Rarick, Rhonda Louise Rarick and daughter-in-law Joyce Rarick, all of Bucyrus. All three were at Ron's bedside when he died. Also surviving are three grandchildren, Christopher Dean Rarick, Andrew Robert and wife, Casie, Rarick of Galion, and Lauren Louise Nieder of Bucyrus. Four great grandchildren survive, Christopher's sons Richard Dean and Michael Christopher Rarick, and Andrew's daughter McKinley and son Conrad Rarick.



Sister-in-law Helen Louise and husband Harold Thompson of Bucyrus survive along with brother-in-law Roger Murphy of Arizona, nieces Lisamarie Bashaw, Sheryl Gilley and nephews Steve Thompson, Brian Murphy and Eric Murphy.



Ron was recently preceded in death by his son-in-law, Robert Pat Nieder, Nov. 26, 2015. He was also preceded in death by his sister, Sandra Lee Murphy, Nov. 17, 2013.



He lived in Nevada, where Marlene grew up, during their early years of marriage but continued school in Bucyrus and graduated from Bucyrus High School in 1951. Ron played football during high school and was on the undefeated NOL Championship team his sophomore year.



During high school Ron worked at a Gulf gas station and later for a time at the Timken Co. After that, he joined the Rarick family plastering business founded by his grandfather Jack and father Foster Rarick. Ron worked in many homes in the Crawford County area with his father until plaster walls were being replaced by dry wall in home construction. He was a plasterer for 16 years.



In the late 1960s, he transitioned to a new career at PPG Industries in Crestline. Ron worked on the production lines manufacturing automotive glass only a short time before moving into the maintenance department responsible for repairing any problems with line performance. That job utilized Ron's true gift of being able to fix just about anything, whether at home or at work. He retired from PPG in 1995 after 27 years of employment.



Ron was able to do automotive repairs, electrical and plumbing work along with home construction. He designed and remodeled the kitchen to make it an efficient work space for his wife, who loved to cook. And he was particularly gifted in woodworking, having built many beautiful pieces of furniture.



He was an outdoorsman who combined that and his love of dogs into years of hunting with Blue, his first beagle. Blue was a legendary hunter of rabbits and birds, and others often asked to join Ron on hunts because of Blue. Ron retired from hunting when Blue became too old to hunt anymore. He lived to age 15. And while Ron went on to own three more beagles, he never hunted with any of them.



Ron was an avid reader of history books, with particular interest in the Civil War and World War II. On one family vacation to Gettysburg he was as knowledgeable as any tour guide would have been.



He was a wonderful man who was devoted to his wife, children and grandchildren. And he was a loyal friend, sustaining many friendships from childhood, high school and his years at PPG until the end of his life. You could always count on Ron to help with his knowledge and gifted skills whenever needed. He will be missed by all who knew and loved him.



Calling hours will be held at Wise Funeral Service, 129 W. Warren St., Bucyrus, from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 3, where funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday with Rev. Don Neumann officiating. Burial will be at Oakwood Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the Salvation Army or donor's choice and memories can be shared on Ron’s Tribute Wall.