Dan Richards, age 73 of Shelbyville, died Wednesday, Dec. 13.
Dan was a worker all of his life. He was a carpet, vinyl, and ceramic tile installer since the age of 17. Dan built three houses and remodeled countless others. He loved the sound of saws and hammers.
Dan was an avid fisherman. He loved the waters of the Ontario Province in Canada where he took his family for vacations and tons of fun-filled memories. He also loved white-tailed deer hunting. He would pitch a tent in two feet of snow and set up camp for himself and his friends to bring home venison.
He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Mary Richards; four children, Dannette Richards (Eric Geiman), Karen (Jeff) Proxmire, Dennis (Jacqueline) Richards, Megan (David) DeWeese; 10 grandchildren, Michael Proxmire, Brian Proxmire, Emily Proxmire, Abbigail Leftwich, Brianna Leftwich, Oliver Richards, Charlotte Geiman, Johanna Geiman, Elise Richards and Olivia Richards; one great-grandson, Dean Proxmire; brother, Steven (Barbara) Richards; cousin, Tom Richards; two best friends Robert Kennedy and Gary Williams; and many extended family and friends.
Dan was preceded in death by his son, Robert John Richards, and his grandson, Nicholas Proxmire.
A memorial mass celebrating Dan’s life will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, Dec. 22, at St. Therese Catholic Church, 128 Cedar St., Wayland, with visitation from 10 to 10:45 a.m. prior to the service. A luncheon will be held immediately after the service in the St. Therese Catholic School hall. Dan will be laid to rest at Resurrection Cemetery.
In memory of Dan and in lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to St. Therese Catholic School of Wayland.
