Rev. Ralph William Richardson

Rev. Ralph William Richardson, 95, a former Erie resident and a resident of Wesbury United Methodist Community, Meadville, died there Wednesday December 8, 1999, after a period of failing health.

He was born in Sugar Grove, Warren County, PA, May 9, 1904, a son of the late Archie G. and Joanna Moore Richardson.  He was first married to Bernice G. Bowell, February 16, 1929, and she preceded him in death.  He then married Dorothea Taylor LeSueur, March 7, 1953 and she died December 23, 1987.

Rev. Richardson was a graduate of Central High School, Erie, and a 1942 graduate of Allegheny College, Meadville.  He also attended Edinboro State Teachers College, Elizabeth College, Elizabethtown, and the Erie Conservatory of Music.  He first taught for 5 years in the Warren Public Schools.  He was a United Methodist clergyman, serving various churches for 42 years including, East Kane, Guys Mills, West Springfield, Conneautville, Asbury Church Erie, 10th St. Church Erie, Clarion and Jamestown, NY.  He retired in 1969, and then served for 11 years as an Associate Pastor of Christ United Methodist Erie until 1981 when he and his wife moved to Wesbury.

He was a member of the Western Pennsylvania Conference of the United Methodist Church, Masonic Lodge #277 of Clarion, and the Scottish Rite Bodies of Coudersport.

Survivors include a daughter, Nancy Kim of El Cajon, CA; a sister, Helen M. Wigren of Scotia, NY; a brother, Archie G. Richardson, Jr. of Jamestown, NY; a grandchild and nieces and nephews.

Services were held at Waid Funeral Home.

Interment was in Waterford Cemetery, Waterford.