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Obituary for Richard "Dean" Milligan
Richard “Dean” Milligan age, 88, of Belle Valley, Ohio, who was a beloved father, grandfather, and “Papa Great”, left to be with his Heavenly Father on June 30, 2016. He was born in his childhood home close to Belle Valleyon April 16, 1928, son of the late George Harley and Olive Bond Milligan. He attended Grant School in Cuyahoga Falls, where he introduced the “country style” of long pants. By the end of his school year, his classmates were no longer wearing knickers. He went on to graduate from Belle Valley High School in 1946. In his early years, Dean drove a dump truck with his brother, Dale, and he was still able to tell stories about his adventures during their coal truck days. In 1952, he was hired by Clevite Graphite Bronze in Caldwell. He became treasurer of Local Union #4836, United Steel Workers of America, for which he served 28 years, and he also served as president of the Cleveland Graphite Bronze Credit Union for 33 years. He joined Patrons Buckeye Mutual Insurance Company as an agent in 1953, and he served on their board of directors beginning in 1984. He served as acting president from 1998-2012. Dean was a member of Ragan’s Chapel United Methodist Church, where he served as Sunday School superintendent for several years as well as Sunday School teacher. He also served as a MYF youth leader along with his wife, Phyllis, and their friend, Lois Dudley. He was elected to the Noble Local Board of Education and served from 1970-1978, and he served as president of the board for two years. As part of his school board duties, he served as a member of the board for Mid-East Vocational School. Dean especially loved being with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, trying to attend as many of their activities as possible. He was an avid reader of western novels, and he enjoyed reading murder mysteries with his daughter.
In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his wife, Phyllis Narelle Heddleson Milligan, whom he married August 19, 1949, and who died September 1, 2007; one brother, Dale Milligan; and one sister, Arline Lee.
Surviving are one son, Terry (Lou Ann) Milligan of Sarahsville; one daughter, Christine (Eddie) Forshey of Caldwell; his granddaughters, Jaime (Ryan) Pfeffer of Sarahsville, Chandra (Michael) Ontko of Caldwell, and Stacey (Joey) Sands of Racine; his great-grandchildren, Tyler Arick, Abigail and Alex Pfeffer, Addysen and Ayden Ontko, and Kimber and Matthew Sands; three sisters-in-law, Doris Johnson, Elaine Kelley, and Frances Milligan; and many nieces, nephews, friends, neighbors, and his church family.
Friends may call Saturday, July 2, 2016, from 3PM-8PM and Sunday, July 3rd from 12PM-3PM at McVay-Perkins Funeral Home, 416 East Street, Caldwell, where the funeral service will follow visitation Sunday at 3PM with Pastor Joe Wright and Pastor Frank McAtee officiating. Burial will follow at Hoskinsville Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the Ragan’s Chapel United Methodist Church, c/o Ed Forshey, 14098 Chapel Drive, Caldwell, Ohio, 43724. An online guestbook may be signed at www.mcvay-perkins.com
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