Ralph M. Richardson

Ralph M. Richardson of Snover, age 74, passed away on Saturday, June 13, 2020 at Ascension St. Mary's Hospital in Saginaw. Ralph was born June 26, 1945 in Portland, Oregon, the son of the late Clarence & Hazel (Peterson) Richardson. He moved with his family to Port Hope at the age of two and graduated from High School there with the class of 1964. Following graduation, Ralph relocated to Flint and began work at the Buick plant until being drafted into the U.S. Army. While in the service, he was stationed in Vietnam and Alabama, returning to Flint and the Buick plant following his honorable discharge in 1968. Ralph was united in marriage with his high school sweetheart, Diana Leese, on September 16, 1967 at the Port Hope Lutheran Church, and the couple has cherished more than fifty-two years together. In the early 1970's, Ralph and Diana moved their family to Snover when Ralph took a mechanic position at Leese Ford in Sandusky. In 1982, he purchased a dairy farm that he operated until 1991 that remains the family homestead today. Never really able to settle into retirement, Ralph worked for many years as a courier for Chemical Bank until 2010. He was an avid tractor puller for nearly forty-five years, was a past director of the Thumb Tractor Pulling Association, and member of the M/T Pocket Pullers, Inc. In his spare time, he could usually be found tinkering in the barn, especially with his tractors. Left to cherish his memory are his loving wife, Diana Richardson of Snover; two children and their companions, Melissa (John) Richardson of Snover, Michael (Mandy) Richardson of St. Helen; two grandchildren, Brandon (Allison) Richardson of Grand Rapids, Cory (Karasten) Richardson stationed in Kings Bay, Georgia; many nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, Ralph was preceded in death by two siblings, Alvin Richardson and Harriet Witherspoon. Funeral services and military honors will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, June 18, 2020 at Peace Lutheran Church in Sandusky with Rev. Emeritus Eric Kilmer officiating. The family will be present to receive friends at the church on Thursday from 12:00 p.m. until the time of the service at 2:00 p.m. Those planning an expression of sympathy may wish to consider memorial contributions to the Richardson Family Discretionary Fund, c/o Diana Richardson, 205 West Sherman Street, Caro, MI 48723. Visitation Information Date: Thursday, June 18, 2020 Time: 12:00 pm End Time: 2:00 pm Peace Lutheran Church Address: 92 Flynn Street Sandusky, MI 48471 (810) 648-3241 | Map The family will be present to receive friends at the church on Thursday from 12:00 p.m. until the time of the service at 2:00 p.m. Service Information Date: Thursday, June 18, 2020 Time: 2:00 pm Peace Lutheran Church Address: 92 Flynn Street Sandusky, MI 48471 (810) 648-3241 | Map Funeral services and military honors will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, June 18, 2020 at Peace Lutheran Church in Sandusky with Rev. Emeritus Eric Kilmer officiating.