Rev. John Richardson
An Ordained Bishop in the Church of God, age 86, of Dayton, went home to be with the Lord, Friday, April 6, 2007, at Maria-Joseph Living Care Center.
John was preceded in death by his first wife, Elizabeth, 1998, after 57 years of marriage.
He is survived by his wife of the past 6 ½ years, Nella M. Cloud-Richardson; three daughters, Mary Ann & Del McKinney, Johnna & Ken Hammel, all of Dayton, Sue & Bill Ramsey of Chattanooga; two step-sons, Darryl Cloud of Sidney, Randy Cloud of Dayton; six grandchildren, Rev. Randy & April McKinney, Tina & Eric Cole, Kim & Rich Shank, Sherrie & Gary Miller, Tami & Chris Daugherty, Cheryl & Patrick Kushman; 14 great grandchildren; and by four brothers, Udel & Peggy Richardson, Ray & JoAnn Richardson, Silas & Audrey Richardson and William Richardson, Jr.
John was a minister of the Lord for 41 years, having served churches in Dayton, South Lebanon, Mansfield and many other locations. He was ordained as a Bishop in the Church of God, Cleveland, Tennessee in 1951. He pastored the Philadelphia Drive Church of God when it was re-located and built in 1964. He will be remembered by those he served as having a "genuine Shepherd's Heart." He was greatly respected and revered by his peers and the many lives he touched during his years of ministry.
The family will be receiving friends from 5:00 – 8:00 p.m., Monday, at the Christian Life Center, 3489 Little York Road, Dayton. Funeral services will be held at the church at 10:00 a.m., Tuesday. Bishop Michael Cleghorn and Rev. Randy McKinney will officiate. Interment will follow at Willow View Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers the family would prefer that contributions be made in memory of John to Hospice of Dayton, 324 Wilmington Ave., Dayton, Ohio 45420.