SOUTH PLYMOUTH – Richard Stokes Shepardson, 94, a long time resident of South Plymouth, passed Saturday, March 26, 2011 at the Absolut Care in Allegany.
Richard was born in Smyrna in Sept. of 1916 the son of Stokes and Agnes Stanton Shepardson. He grew up in Smyrna and attended the local school. On Sept. 4, 1939 in Pennsylvania, he married Rhoda Kreiner, who passed away in April of 2001 and together they made their home in South Plymouth for over 60 years. During his working career he had been employed for many years by the Hickok Coal & Oil Co. and the Reese-Marshall Oil Co. A veteran of World War II, Richard served his country from Sept. 11, 1942 until his honorable discharge on Nov. 5, 1945.
Richard was a long time member of the Emmanuel Episcopal Church of Norwich and had volunteered many hours for the church in many of its activities. He loved his home, the outdoors, working in his flower bed and feeding and watching the birds.
Richard is survived by his children, Rodney Shepardson of Mountain Home, Ark., Diane Shepardson of Westons Mills, and Dale Shepardson and his wife Cindy of Mountain Home, Ark., his sister Mary Alice Whitney of Smyrna and his brothers Carl Shepardson of Smyrna and Francis Shepardson of Florida. Also surviving are his grandchildren Melisa Dotson and husband Ken of Asheville, N.C., Melanie Haines and husband Bill of Norwich, great grandchildren Megan Heysham of Duke University and Josh Haines living at home with his parents, as well as several other grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
Besides his wife Rhoda, Richard was predeceased by his brothers Stanley and Stanton Shepardson.
Memorial services for Richard will be held at 11 a.m. Friday from the Emmanuel Episcopal Church of Norwich. The Very Rev. Charles Taylor, Episcopal Clergy, will officiate. Interment will follow in the West Hill Cemetery of Sherburne. There will be no calling hours.
Please consider memorial contributions to Emmanuel Episcopal Church, West Main St., Norwich, NY 13815.
Arrangements are with the R.J. Fahy Funeral Home.