Richard Berkenstock

Richard (Dick) Berkenstock, aged 87, passed away peacefully at his home on December 30, 2025, after a brief fight with Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC), a rare form of liver cancer. He was born on July 9,1938 at their family home in the church parsonage at Thornville, OH, to Paul F. Berkenstock and Mildred (Heide) Berkenstock.

Dick married Polly Boley on August 1, 1965, at Erastus United Methodist Church. She survives him and resides in their home in rural Coldwater, OH. He is also survived by his daughter Penny (Scott) Rauch and son Tim (Tara) Berkenstock. Dick has 5 grandchildren: Mikayla (Tyler) Fleck, Tasha, Trent, Tabitha and Tegan Berkenstock and 3 great children (Brexley, Rexton and Hux Fleck). He is also survived by his favorite sister Margaret (Noel) Watson. Dick is proceeded in death by brother-in-law John Boley and sister-in-law Connie (Jim) Johnson.

Dick was a proud member and leader of the Erastus Church while serving on the Mercer County Joint Township Community Hospital Board of Governors, Mercer County Hospice Board, Mercer County Health Department Board, Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC), Mercer County Fairboard, treasurer on the Erastus Church Board, Wabash Telephone Board, Foundations Board and Midwest

Electric Community Connections Board throughout various stages of his life.

After 32 years at Huffy Bicycles in Celina, OH, he retired happily to spend more time with his family and grandkids. However, he loved to socialize with everyone, so he decided to work at Walmart in Celina, OH for 21 more years.

Dick loved spending time with his family, mowing his lawn, and meeting friends (new and old) at restaurants to share a meal. He never met a stranger that he couldn’t strike up a conversation with.

In keeping with Dick’s longtime commitment to service, he made the decision to donate his body to Wright State University School of Medicine, so no visitation or service will be held, per his last request. In lieu of no service, please feel free to check in with Polly and his family in the coming weeks. Dick would feel comforted knowing they’re being checked on.