JOHN RIDER

SPENCERVILLE — John Henry Rider, 84, died at 8:05 p.m. Jan. 5, 2015, at Roselawn Manor Nursing Home with his family by his side, where he had resided since Dec. 19 after a short illness.

He was born Sept. 10, 1930, in Geneva, Indiana to Leroy and Farold Rider, who preceded him in death. On May 12, 1956, he married JoAnn Severns Rider, who survives.

Mr. Rider attended Spencerville schools and then joined the Army during the Korean War. He retired in 1992 from the West Ohio Gas Co. after 34 years as construction maintenance foreman. He was a loving husband, father and grandfather. He enjoyed sports of all kinds, especially the Cincinnati Reds, the Ohio State Buckeyes and the Spencerville Bearcats and was a devoted follower and fan of his two grandsons at their sporting activities. He had a love of fishing, hunting and gardening. He was a member of Allen County Sportsman Club. He was a life member of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 6772 and the Northwest Ohio Field & Stream Association, both in Spencerville.

Survivors include three children, Garry Rider, of Spencerville, Tom Rider, of Spencerville, and Dale (Carolyn) Rider, of Spencerville; two grandsons, Steven (Katie) Rider, of Columbus, and Daniel (Andrea Hefner) Rider, of Spencerville; and a sister, Eva (Homer) Coffman, of Edgerton.

He was preceded in death by a sister, Leona (Paul) Nungester.

Services will begin at 10:30 a.m. Friday at Thomas E. Bayliff Funeral Home in Spencerville. The Rev. Tom Shobe will officiate. Burial will be in Spencerville Cemetery, with military rites by the Spencerville Veterans.

Friends may call from 2 to 4:30 and 6 to 9 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home.

Contributions may be made to the new Spencerville Bearcat Training Center.

Condolences may be sent to tbayliff@woh.rr.com.