Wilmer Ethan Richards, Jr., 464 South 4th Street, Sharpsville, PA; formerly of Thomasville, North Carolina, passed away at 12:25 a.m. Tuesday (6/29/10) in Clepper Manor, Sharon. He was 78.

Mr. Richards was born October 3, 1931 in Macon, GA. a son of the late Wilmer E. and Ivy Clayton Richards. He retired in 1998 from Golden State Foods, Greensboro, North Carolina, where he was a bakery manager for more than 20 years. After his retirement he worked for the Ikon Co., Charlotte, NC for 10 years and moved to the area in July of 2009.

A long time resident of North Carolina, Wilmer was a member of the Pleasant Grove United Methodist Church in Thomasville. He was a member of a VFW in North Carolina and early in his life was active with the Boy Scouts of America.

Mr. Richards served with the U.S. Marine Corp. during the Korean War.

His wife of 50 years, the former Anne Griffin, whom he married January 24, 1959, passed away December 28, 2009. He is survived by: two sons, Randall Richards and his wife Traci, Sharpsville; and Rodney Richards, Sharon; five grandchildren, Andrew Richards; Kellina and Nate Blakeman; Ariella Richards; and Zachary Thompson; and one great grandson, Andrew Richards.

Besides his parents and his wife, Wilmer was preceded in death by a sister Dorothy.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggest memorial contributions be made to Sharon Regional Hospice and Palliative Care, 2320 Highland Road, Hermitage, PA 16148

Calling hours and Sevice: None. Friends may email condolences by visiting www.McGonigleFuneralHomeandCrematory.com.

Arrangements by the J. Bradley McGonigle Funeral Home and Crematory, Inc., 1090 E. State Street, Sharon.