Richard D. Makeever

Richard D. Makeever, 92, died Friday, December 22, 2023 at Marion General Hospital where he was under hospice care after months of failing health.

Dick was born November 9, 1931 in Morrow County, the youngest of 12 children of the late Seth and Blanche (Moats) Makeever. He grew up in the community of Climax, where he learned a strong work ethic from his father and attended school through 9th grade. He then graduated from Caledonia High School in 1949. He worked for an excavator and grain dealer before enlisting in the US Navy in 1951 and serving for four years in the Pacific during the Korean War. Dick returned to Ohio and began working for The Timken Co. for 37 1/2 years. He worked on the line, in the Quality Department, and retired as General Supervisor of Quality. It was at Timken where he met Judy Dickey and they were married June 30, 1957, sharing 62 years of marriage when she preceded him in death on October 4, 2019.

Those who knew Dick Makeever knew him to be a hard working and loyal perfectionist who loved and supported his family and friends. He once aspired to be a teacher and coach as he loved working with kids and helping them learn. He refereed high school football for 25 years, played softball and bowled for many years, and then he discovered his true sports passion in 1970 when he took up golf. He loved that it was a personal sport, yet a game that still offered socialization. He looked forward to his early spring golf trips in South Carolina and was happy to still be the number one man on his senior league team at age 90. He was a consummate perfectionist, not only in the Quality Department at work, but in every woodworking or home improvement project he worked on at his own home or helping others.

Dick was a loyal supporter of high school athletics, cheering for his children, grandchildren, and the apples of his eye: his great grandchildren, at their events. He also was a past president of Wynford Athletic Boosters and got the opportunity to coach his granddaughters in Little League softball. Dick was an usher, along with his son and granddaughter, for Ohio State football for 15 years in 23 A/AA where he made friends and rooted on the Buckeyes. He and Judy got to travel to Hawaii, Fiji, Australia, and New Zealand on a memorable trip, he was a former deacon at Martin Luther Lutheran Church, former member of Moose Lodge 669, and a member of American Legion Post 181.

Dick is survived by two children, Mark (Traci) Makeever and Cheryl (Kenny) Shupp; four grandchildren, Christopher (Jill) Makeever and their two children, Brennan and Kenzlee, Teal Makeever, Brittani Atwood (Dan Hensel) and her daughter, Vayda, and Kyle Makeever (Kayla Ramsey) and their children, Lydia, Emmie, and Brent. He is also survived by his brother, Robert (Betty) Makeever, and many nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents and wife Judy, he was preceded in death by siblings, John Makeever, George “Wade” Makeever, Marjorie Henry, Catherine “Katie” McGuire, Jay Makeever, Marion Makeever, James Makeever, Seth W. Makeever, Eugene Makeever, and Harold Makeever.

A viewing will be offered on Tuesday, January 2, 2024 at Wise Funeral Service in Bucyrus where family will receive friends from 4-7 pm. The evening will conclude with military rites by the US Navy Honor Guard and the Bucyrus Veterans Military Funeral Detail. He will be laid to rest in Oakwood Cemetery at a later date.

Memorial donations are encouraged to be made payable to Bucyrus Little League, Wynford Athletic Boosters, or OhioHealth Foundation and given through the funeral home. Memories can be shared on the guestbook.