John Richard "Dick" McCormick, 87, of Bethesda, OH passed away peacefully in his home at 2:07 a.m. Wednesday morning,  March 4, 2015, surrounded by his loving family.  He was born September 3, 1927 in Bethesda, a son of the late Dr. James Alva McCormick and Cora A. (Shepherd) McCormick.  He was a 1947 graduate of Bethesda High School (senior picture above).

Dick retired in 1984 from the management team at the former International Harvester Plant in Shadyside, OH.  Dick and his family have been active in the lumber industry since 1947 when he and brother Mansel began their careers operating a sawmill.  He and his brother Mansel "Mick" operated a sawmill until the late 1970's.  About the time of his retirement from International Harvester, Dick and his first son and namesake, John, started a sawmill service company which eventually became McCormick & Sons, Inc. of Bethesda, OH.  His second son, Scott, later joined them working at McCormick & Sons, Inc.  Dick remained an active, integral contributor to McCormick & Sons, Inc. until his death.

Dick served in the U.S. Army as part of the occupation forces in Europe following WWII.  He was honorably discharged.  He was: a Methodist by faith; a member of the Bethesda American Legion; a life member of the American Legion; a life member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars; a second generation life member of the National Rifle Association; a former member of the Bethesda Farmers & Sportsmen Club; a 65 year member of the Hazen Masonic Lodge No. 251 where he served in several offices; a 32° Freemason, Scottish and York Rite; a charter member of the National Pike Knife Club; a fervent member of the Republican Party; served many years on the Bethesda Village Council; a member, trustee and an officer of the St. Clairsville Knights of Pythias Lodge, the Morristown IOOF Lodge  then the Barnesville IOOF Lodge, until these fraternal lodges closed.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by twin stillborn siblings; five sisters, Virginia M. McClelland, Jesse F. Moore, Ruth E. Spinelli, Betty Z. Masters and Nancy J. Anderson; and a brother Mansel "Mick" A. McCormick.

Surviving are his wife of 62 years, Pauline "Polly" J. (Gallagher) McCormick; four sons, John R. (Anita), Scott A. (Jackie), Michael "Mike" P. (Marsha) all of Bethesda, OH, and Jeffrey "Jeff" L. (Robin) of Westerville, OH; a sister, Martha M. Williams, of Denton, TX; grandchildren, Kam, John, Jacob, Marissa, Zane, and Jessica; great-grandchildren, Markiee, Aydan, Gavin, Evan, and Jack.  Numerous nieces and nephews.

Friends will be received Friday evening, March 6, from 4-7 p.m. at Campbell Plumly Milburn Funeral Home, 319 N. Chestnut St., Barnesville, Ohio.  The service will be held on Saturday, March 7, 2015 at 11 am with Rev. Thomas Detling officiating.  Burial will follow in Bethesda Methodist Cemtery. Hazen Masonic Lodge services Friday, March 6 at 5 p.m. Veterans services will be held at 10:45 a.m. prior to funeral by Belmont County Council American Legion.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to be made in Dick's memory to either Valley Hospice Foundation, 10686 State Route 150, Rayland, Ohio 43943 or to the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 22718, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, 73123-1718 (for credit in Belmont County, Ohio).

The family would like to thank Valley Hospice for their loving care of Dick.