Richard John Pekare

Richard John Pekare, 83 years of age and a lifetime resident of Lorain, passed away Friday, August 11, 2023 at Mercy Regional Medical Center following a twenty year battle with Parkinson disease. 

Richard was born September 21, 1939, in Lorain and graduated with the class of 1957B from Lorain High School. He received a Bachelor of Science Degree from Bowling Green University with a teaching certification in History, Bookkeeping/Basic Business and Political Science.  He went on to do post graduate work at BGSU for 2 years.  He earned a teaching certification in Distributive Education in 1969.

Richard proudly served his country in the US Navy from 1957 - 1960 as a second class petty officer. He was a member of the Carrier Air Wing 9 aboard two different vessels, the USS Ranger and the USS Ticonderoga, during his time in the Navy.  After his time in the Navy, he went to college and then began his teaching career.  He was a substitute teacher at Columbus City Schools and a business education teacher at Big Walnut (Sunbury) High School in Delaware County. After teaching at Sunbury High School he returned to Lorain where he taught at Lorain Admiral King High School where he was a Distributive Education teacher for 24 years before retiring in 1990. He was recognized for outstanding service towards Distributive Education/Marketing Education and for efforts on behalf of youth of Ohio in 1972, 1979, 1984, 1989, and 1990. 

He volunteered in the school system as a clock operator for many freshman games, ticket taker at the graduation ceremonies, a judge for DECA for 9 years, and after retirement he could be found in the Pupil Services Department of Lorain City Schools. In the summers he worked for many companies including, Lorain City Schools, Ford Motor Company, Fruehauf, BF Goodrich, and tending bar at John’s Cafe. Richard was a member of St. Peter Catholic Church in Lorain. In his spare time he enjoyed gardening, traveling, bowling, and crossword puzzles.

He is survived by the love of his life, his wife of 58 ½  years, Betty Lou Pekare (nee: Obenour); his daughter Elizabeth and her husband Steven Wells of South Amherst; his granddaughters, Grace (Justin) Baumann and Stephanie Wells; and one great grandson Beckham Baumann.

Richard was preceded in death by parents Richard and Elizabeth Pekare (nee: Miecznikowski); and his stepfather, Michael Matijasic; his brother James Pekare.

Friends may call Wednesday, August 16, 2023, from 10am until the time of the service at Noon at  the Hempel Funeral Home, Amherst. The Rev. Chris Buckingham-Taylor, pastor of St. Peter United Church of Christ, will officiate. Rebroadcasting of services will be available at www.hempelfuneralhome.com . Burial will follow at Ridge Hill Memorial Park Cemetery, Amherst Township, Ohio.
The family suggests that memorial contributions be made to St. Peter United Church of Christ, 582 Church St. South Amherst. .

For those unable to attend please visit the funeral home's website to share a memory and sign the guest register, www.hempelfuneralhome.com.

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