Richard W. Edmonds

Richard W. Edmonds, 91, of Meadville passed at home two weeks and two days after the death of his beloved wife, Mary Ellen, of 71 years on Monday, November 2, 2020.

He was born February 22, 1929 in Meadville a son of Milton W. and Florence I. Nichols Edmonds.  He graduated from Meadville High School where he ran track and field.  He followed in the footsteps of his father-in-law and brother-in-law working on the Erie Lackawanna and Conrail railroads for 40 years where he was rumored to have never missed a day of work.

He was a diehard sports fan following the not only the Pittsburgh Steelers, Pirates and Penguins but also the Chicago Bulls, Notre Dame football, all MASH Athletics especially football and basketball and Allegheny College football and basketball.  He was also an avid pool player, playing in several area pool leagues for 30 years.  He achieved his goal of still playing pool actively until he was 90 years old.  He also competed at the state level winning 1st place and 3rd place in the Senior Division.  He also was a catcher on a fast pitch softball team, playing at Bender Field.  He and Mary Ellen also enjoyed bowling together in an area league.  Later in life he and Mary Ellen competed in the Keystone games.  Family vacations to Philadelphia or Chicago would always tie in to a Pirates game against the Phillies or the Cubs.  He enjoyed fishing and hunting and would always take the first week of deer season off from work.

Growing up without his father, he would read any do-it-yourself type book he could find.  Using this knowledge he would undertake the challenge of any basic auto repair and home repair and improvement himself.  Over the years he made many changes to his home, enclosing a front porch, moving a wall or relocating a door (sometimes more than once) to improve the flow and design of the house.  Every day he would enjoy his morning coffee with the Tribune crossword puzzle.  He was a loving and devoted husband and father and will be deeply missed.

He is survived by four children, Larry of Chicago, IL, Jan of Cincinnati, OH, Cathy and her husband Dale of Conneaut Lake and Rick of Meadville; two grandchildren, Chelsea and Chad and two great grandchildren, Preslea and Landon.

In addition to his wife and parents, he was preceded in death by an infant daughter, Jo Ann and a sister, Jean Green.

Calling hours will be Saturday, November 7th from 4-7 p.m. at the Robert W. Waid Funeral Home, Inc., 581 Chestnut Street, Meadville.  The funeral service will follow at 7 p.m. with Rev. Sarah Roncolato, Pastor of Stone United Methodist Church, officiating.

Interment will be in Greendale Cemetery.

Memories and condolences may be shared at www.waidfuneralhome.net