Richard Tuttle

Richard Leon Tuttle, 92, died November 4, 2022, at Adena Medical Center in Chillicothe, OH, surrounded by loved ones. Dick was preceded in death by siblings, Mary Ellen Banks and Jim Tuttle; sister-in-law, Letha Tuttle; and brother-in-law, Robert Busch. He is survived by his wife of 71 years, Joanne Seymour Tuttle, his brother Otto Tuttle, children Rick (Angela) Tuttle and Scott (Melanie) Tuttle, six grandchildren, and 14 great grandchildren.   Dick Tuttle was born January 6, 1930, in Lancaster, OH, to Rev. Lloyd W. and Marvene L. Stevens Tuttle. In 1944, when Dick was 14, Rev. Tuttle began serving as pastor of Tyler Memorial United Methodist Church (then Tyler Evangelical United Brethren Church) in Chillicothe. At a joint youth group event held at First EUB Church, Dick spotted a young woman playing Chopsticks on the piano. He introduced himself to her and the two became fast friends. Dick and Joanne were married in October of 1951.   Dick served in the United States Army from 1951 to 1953 and was stationed at Camp Atterbury, IN. Following his military service, Dick, Joanne, and their newborn son, Rick, returned to Chillicothe. Dick and Joanne's second son, Scott, was born in 1956. Dick worked at Mead Paper Company for 44 years before retiring in 1997.   Dick was a patient, helpful, and reassuring father, and he loved camping at Whitewater State Park with his family. After his children were grown, he found joy in becoming a reading volunteer at local elementary schools. He particularly relished being a Papaw, installing swing sets, setting up sprinklers and kiddie pools, and playing wiffle ball. Joanne scouted garage sales for children's bikes, and Dick taught the kids to ride them. He helped with woodworking projects and other crafts for church bazaars and school projects. He loved making grandkids (and any other audience) laugh with a groan-worthy joke or a Donald Duck voice, and he could often be found at grandkids' birthdays or school programs with camcorder in hand.   Dick's children and grandchildren admire his years of faithful service to his church and community. Over his seven decades of membership at Tyler Church, he sang in the choir, taught Sunday school, served as a lay speaker, and held various church leadership positions. He was also a long-time member of the Chillicothe Evening Lions. In 1980-81, he was named a Melvin Jones Fellow for dedicated humanitarian service to the Lions' Club International Foundation, and he served as Lions' Club president from 1986 to 1987. He remained active in Lions' Club until his death. Dick was Mead Employees Credit Union Volunteer of the year in 1990 and earned an award for 27 years of meritorious service to the credit union. He was also a faithful, long-time blood donor. In 1983, Dick received the Congress of the United States Congressional Award in recognition of outstanding service to the community.   Dick loved music. In addition to his service in the church choir, he was often the requested soloist at weddings, funerals, and other services. He loved to sing with anyone who would join him, and he urged others to keep on singing too. The nurses who cared for him in his final days at the hospital said he was singing to them— "You Are My Sunshine" and other songs—even within a day of his death.   Friends may call on the family at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, November 9, at Tyler Memorial United Methodist Church, 260 Mill St. The funeral will follow at Noon.  In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Tyler Memorial United Methodist Church or to Chillicothe Evening Lions.
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