Rev. Richard E. Rothrock

Rev. Richard Rothrock, 94, of Dover, was called to the more immediate presence of God on Sunday, July 4, 2021, from New Dawn Retirement Center in Dover, after a period of declining health. Born July 30, 1926 in Dennison, he was the son of the late Clare Cecil Rothock and Agnes Melinda (Lessig) Rothrock Persons.

Dick proudly served his country in the U.S. Navy in the South Pacific during World War II and was awarded a Purple Heart. Upon returning home, he resumed his studies at Dennison High School where he played football and was a 1947 graduate. He earned associate degrees from Kent State University Tuscarawas and Garrett Supply Pastors School at Northwestern. In addition to his 21 year career with General Electric in Dover, he served part-time pastorates at Hanover, Mt. Hope, Holmes, and Pleasant Valley churches. In 1975, he entered full-time ministry and served the Peoli Charge, Otsego Charge, East Rochester/Bayard Charge, and Warsaw, retiring from the East Ohio Conference of the United Methodist Church as an associate pastor. In retirement, he served as interim pastor at Irish Ridge, Baltic, Dundee, Union Hill, Freeport Charge, Tippecanoe, Pleasant Grove, and Deersville. Throughout his life, Dick enjoyed singing and was a former member of the choir at Dover First United Methodist Church. In his spare time, he enjoyed woodworking and gardening.

He will be deeply missed by his surviving family which includes his wife Carol L. (Cryder) Rothrock whom he wed in 1979; son, Mike (Meribeth) Rothrock; grandchildren, Christopher (Kendra) Rothrock and Nikki (Shawn) Robinson; step grandchildren, Timothy (Suzanne) Cookson, Darla Carlisle, Jeffrey Heavlin, Karen (Hal) Litton, and Cathie Southern; step son-in-law, Ronald Heavlin; 5 great-grandchildren, 9 step great-grandchildren, and 7 step great-great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, Clare and Agnes; first wife, Daisy (Francis) Cookson Rothrock; stepchildren, Robert Cookson, Carol “Kay” Heavlin, and Lois “Mitzi” Domingue; step grandson, Mark Domingue; and sisters, Myrtle Kohler and Gladys Lehew.

Services, officiated by Rev. David St. Aubin, will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, July 9, in Dover First United Methodist Church. Interment will follow with a military committal service in Pleasant Valley United Methodist Church Cemetery near Dennison. Visitation is 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Thursday at the R. K. Lindsey Funeral Home in Dennison and an hour prior to the funeral at Dover First United Methodist Church. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the United Methodist Church of the donor’s choice.