Richard F. Fehrs, age 91, of New Castle, passed away the afternoon of December 25, 2024, surrounded by his family at his home.

Dick was born May 21, 1933, to William and Ann (Archer) Fehrs in Butler, PA.

He is survived by his wife of 68 years, Joan E. (Treloar) Fehrs, who he married on June 30, 1956. Together they cherished their children, Richard F. (Sally) Fehrs, Cynthia J. (Bob) Clark, D. Scott (Amy) Fehrs and Kurt B. (Kathy) Fehrs.

Dick was raised in Grove City, PA and graduated there as a lover of sports, with two letters in football and basketball. He excelled as a baseball catcher and played in Chicora, PA and had a tryout with the Pittsburgh Pirates. After a serious injury he left his baseball scholarship at Ohio State and graduated from Grove City College while leading the football team as quarterback. He was inducted into the Mercer County Hall of Fame in 2005.

As a captain and intercept navigator in the US Air Force, Dick and Joan lived in Texas and Montana. They returned to Erie, PA and ultimately New Castle.

He enjoyed golf, traveling, wintering in Florida, and with Joan, created a tradition of over 60 years of taking his entire family on vacation in Ocean City, NJ. What he enjoyed most and was his priority was his family. He never missed an activity in which his kids or grandkids were involved. This included sports, dance recitals, plays, chorus, or graduations. He was everyone's biggest champion.

Dick was active in coaching and organizing with Little League, Connie Mack and Pop Warner football. He founded Kids Inc. to enhance youth sports for the kids in Lawrence County.

A long-time board member of the YMCA, he belonged to Jaycees and founded Opportunities Unlimited with local businessmen to purchase land and encourage business development.

He joined Treloar and Heisel Insurance and in 1965, received his first of many Million Dollar Roundtable awards. He purchased and co-owned the company in 1975. He served as trustee of the American Association of Endodontics and was a member of the New Castle Country Club.

Dick and Joan were former long-time members of Clen-Moore Presbyterian Church where he served as a Sunday school teacher for youth and young adults, men's bible study leader and elder. He was a member of New Life Baptist Church. Dick knew Jesus as his Lord and Savior and it is his and Joan's prayer that their children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren will as well.

In addition to his parents, Dick was preceded in death by his loving son, Kurt B. Fehrs.

He is already dearly missed by his beloved spouse, children, daughters-in-law, son-in-law, eleven grandchildren, 11 great grandchildren, nieces, nephews and friends. As a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ, we can be assured that he is now in His presence and is reunited with his son, Kurt. "O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?" 1 Cor. 15:55

Visitation will be held on Sunday, Dec. 29, from 3:00-6:00 p.m. at the R. Cunningham Funeral Home and Crematory, Inc., 2429 Wilmington Road, New Castle.

A funeral service will take place Monday, Dec. 30, at 11:00 a.m. at the funeral home with his grandson, Robert D. Clark, Jr. officiating.

Burial will be in Castle View Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Lawrence County YMCA at www.lawcoymca.org or to the and Wounded Warrior Project at support.woundedwarriorproject.org

Online condolences may be offered to the family at www.cunninghamfh.com