Richard “Rick” Kenneth Whitehurst was born in Wilson, Pennsylvania , on January 7, 1946. Rick passed away at his residence in Columbus, Ohio on January 26, 2023 at the age of 77.

He joined the U.S. Marines in 1964 at the age of 17. He was honorably discharged in 1968 at the rank of corporal.

Rick married his wife Carol Marie Patterson in Jacksonville Florida on May 2, 1966.
They have been married 56 years and had four wonderful daughters.

He attended Hocking Technical College in Nelsonville, Ohio for Forestry. He also worked as a guard at the Old Ohio State Penitentiary in Columbus Ohio. He retired as a sergeant with the Perry Township Police Department.

Rick enjoyed Nascar, reading and football especially The Ohio State University and Cincinnati Bengals. He was fond of watching old Westerns, war movies and classic Godzilla movies. He enjoyed Civil War history and participated in reenactments as a Union soldier. Was interested in Native American history and enjoyed pow wows with his family.
He also had a keen interest in Egyptian history. In his younger years he participated in softball and football leagues.

He was preceded in death by foster mother Jean Margaret Kline Lerch and foster sister, Tana Jean Griner.
Survived by wife, Carol Whitehurst; daughters, Michelle Henry, Yvette (Andrew) Benner, Cindy (Brian Kirkham) Hlava, and Andrea (Ryan) Limes; grandchildren, Aaron Benner, Meghan Benner, Brianna Hlava, Evan Hlava, and Luke Limes; great-grandson, Jovanni Vargas; foster sister, Colleen Anne (Carl) Lenig.

Memorial Gathering Friday February 3, 2023 from 1pm until the time of Memorial Service at 2pm at Newcomer SW Chapel, 3393 Broadway Grove City, Oh.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Richard's name to the American Heart Association or the National Kidney Foundation.

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Richard's services will be livestreamed at the scheduled service time. Click here. to view the service.