Richard Lee Behrens

Richard L. Behrens, age 86, long-time resident of Canal Winchester, Ohio died on August 29, 2022. He was born at home on April 16, 1936 to the late Harry and Ethel (Oyler) Behrens of Lithopolis, Ohio. He met the love of his life, Dolores Ripley, in Groveport and graduated from Groveport High School in 1954. He served in the U.S. Navy from 1954 to 1956 on the USS Robert L. Wilson. He was a Columbus Firefighter from 1959 - 1995 and retired after 36 years of service. He was a member of St. John's Lutheran Church in Lithopolis OH. He helped at St. John's in many ways over the decades - mowing, making coffee, helping with the chicken noodle dinner, pulling up carpet, painting or whatever needed done. He volunteered for the Lancaster Food Pantry and Meals on Wheels. For years, he worked the Bloom-Township Fire Department's Memorial Day Fish Fry, usually in the back washing dishes. In his prime, he enjoyed visiting family in Florida and California, swimming, boating and water-skiing at Fireman's Park at Buckeye Lake with Dolores and the 4 kids. It was common for him to help family, church members and neighbors with whatever chore was needed.

Surviving are his children Denise (Mike) Fink, Deanna (Gale) Glendenning, Douglas (Cecelia) Behrens, and Dallas (Lorrie) Behrens; grandchildren, John Stevenson II, Douglas (Jaimie) Stevenson, Logan (Abby) Glendenning, Blake (Allei) Behrens, Jessica Behrens, and step-grandson Jeremy Glendenning and 4 great- grandchildren. He is also survived by his brothers-in-law Robert Ripley, Gary (Marilyn) Ripley, and Roger (Jerrilyn) Ripley and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his beloved wife of 68+ years Dolores (Ripley) Behrens, his brother Robert (Virginia) Behrens and sister Hattie (Royal) McCune and brother-in-law, John LaVern (Alice) Ripley and sister-in-law, Ruth Ripley.

At Dick's request, private internment will take place at the family's discretion. Interment will be at the Lithopolis Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Richard's name to St. John's Lutheran Church Building Fund, P.O. Box 206, Lithopolis, OH 43136 or Columbus Firefighters Foundation at 379 W Broad Street Columbus, Ohio 43215.