Rev. Richard H. Sanford

Rev. Richard H. Sanford, 79, was born on Sunday, April 3, 1938 in Titusville, PA to Frank H. and Alice McKinney Sanford.  He died on Sunday, February 4, 2018 at Wesbury United Methodist Community due to complications from hydrocephalus.  In 1959 he married his high school sweetheart, Myrna Ellis. He was always her anchor and her sail.

He was preceded in death by his parents, two grandsons, Charles & Randy Hennon, and a nephew, Marine Captain Gary Dillon.  He is survived by his wife, his children Sheri Hennon of Danbury, CT and Shane (Diane) Sanford of Grove City, PA.  His four surviving grandchildren are Molly Hennon-Smith (Christina), Danbury, CT, Nick Sanford and Hannah Sanford, Grove City, PA & Morgan Sanford, Horsham, PA.  His great granddaughter, Nora Sanford also resides in Grove City. Also surviving are his sisters Priscilla (Heinz) Johnson of San Antonio, TX and Patsy (Glen) Dillon of Findlay, OH.

Dick graduated from Titusville High School, West Virginia Wesleyan College, and Drew Theological School (1967). In 1967 he was ordained an Elder in the Western Pennsylvania Conference of the United Methodist Church.  While attending Drew, he served the Sanford Memorial Methodist Church, Englishtown, NJ.  Other churches included those in Conneautville, Aliquippa, Erie:Glenwood, Grove City, Greensburg:Charter Oak, and Indiana:Grace.  He also was a District Superintendent of the Indiana District and had many leadership roles on District and Conference committees, including Conference Finance Administration, Board of Ordained Ministry and President of Wesley Woods.  He enjoyed youth camps and mission trips to Haiti and Appalachia. He was often invited to other churches to perform many different portrayals of biblical characters.

A service of memory and celebration of his life and ministry will take place at Stone United Methodist Church, 956 S. Main St., Meadville on Saturday, February 24th at 1:00 p.m. with Rev. Howard Greenfield and Rev. Sarah Roncolato officiating.  A light buffet will be served afterwards at Cribbs Home Community Room at Wesbury United Methodist Community, 31 N. Park Ave., Meadville.  The family is very thankful for Wesbury’s concern and especially the great care by Charlie and her angels.

Flowers gratefully declined.  Memorials may be sent to the Wesbury Benevolent Care Fund, 31 N Park Ave, Meadville, PA 16335 or to Stone United Methodist Church, 956 S Main St, Meadville, PA.

Arrangements are under the care of the Robert W. Waid Funeral Home, Inc., 581 Chestnut St., Meadville where memories and condolences may be shared at waidfuneralhome.net.