Richard Wade Calhoun, 80, of Minerva, Ohio, passed away, Tuesday, Jan 22, 2019 at his home surrounded by close family and friends.

A celebration of Life Memorial service will be held at 1:00 pm on June 14, 2019 at Canton Baptist Temple 515 Whipple Ave. N.W. Canton, Ohio 44708.

Richard was born down home on March 08, 1938 in Terra Alta, West Virginia to Evelyn Mae Calhoun and Irwin Smith. He finished high school in grade 10. He joined the US Army at age 15 where after a short service he earned an honorable discharge when they found out he was a minor.

On August 17, 1957, he married the love of his life Norma Gail Choate in Oakland Maryland. Richard was an accomplished mechanic although his service to others was cornerstone to his life. He was employed as a school bus driver for Minerva Local Schools seventeen years, and gave over fifty years of service to his Lord and Savior in the Church he was a longstanding member of (Canton Baptist Temple). Richard was committed to the bus ministry which brought hundreds without transportation to church. His varied contribution included driving, maintenance and repair of the fleet of buses. He enjoyed working night and day in his garage with his son by his side and only officially retired a couple years prior to his passing.

Richard and his wife Norma have provided a place to call home to others in need and have opened their doors to more than 21 people over the years.

He was an avid gun collector, a long time member of NRA and American Legion. He also enjoyed old westerns with a cowboy hat and boots his constant uniform.

He loved his family and spending time with his children and grandchildren whenever he could. Richard was proceeded in death by his mother Evelyn Calhoun Miller, his father Irwin Smith of Hampton, Virginia, sister Margaret Calhoun Sypolt, brothers Wilfred Miller, John Miller and his adopted daughter Lillian Reiss and grand daughter Jessica Antram Stevenson.

Richard is survived by his wife of 61 years Norma Choate Calhoun of Minerva, Ohio and by his five children Sandra Snively Parrette of Bear, Delaware, Cheryl Antram and her Husband Mark of Massillon, Ohio, Barbara Campbell and her Husband Jeff of Minerva, Ohio, Wade "Tom" Calhoun and his wife Elizabeth (Swinehart) of Minerva, Ohio and Susan Strader and her husband Scott of New Castle, Delaware.

He leaves behind eleven Grandchildren and 23 Great Grandchildren. Grandchildren Dawn Snively Sloan (Larry), Jaime Snively Perdigon (William) , Jon Snively Jr (Armelys), Mattie Snively Di Pietro (Matthew), Brad Stevenson, Christopher Antram (Kelly), Heather Antram Wolf (Nate), Joshua Calhoun (LeeAnn), Michael Wilson (Emily), Michaela Wilson, Cierra Campbell, Sara Strader.

Great grandchildren Ashton, Jaxon, Isabella (Sloan) Tyler, Sophia. (Di Pietro) Jacob, Xavier, Gabriel (Perdigon)Noah (Snively) Joel, Lily (Stevenson) Abby, Tyler(Antram) Hayden, Titus, Nehemiah, Nadia, Benjamin(Wolf) Emily, Alli, Eli, Mason, Kimber (Calhoun)

We will strive to move ahead making him proud and honoring his legacy of giving our best to those in need, holding our family close and living a Christ honoring life keeping his memory close to our hearts forever.

God saw you getting tired and a cure was not to be

So He put His arms around you and whispered "Come to me."

With tearful eyes we watched you, and saw you pass away.

Although we loved you dearly, we could not make you stay.

A golden heart stopped beating, hardworking hands at rest.

God broke our hearts to prove to us. He only takes the BEST.

God Saw You Getting Tired, by Frances and Kathleen Coelho

In lieu of flowers consider Contributions to Crossroads Hospice (3743 Boettler Oaks Drive

Suite E Green, Ohio 44685) that cared for Richard and his family in the end of his life or to Camp Chof a Youth Camp at the church that he loved (1820 Deerfield Ave North, Dalton Ohio 44618.)