Lima, OH
Richard “Dick” L. Braun, age 74, passed away May 5, 2021, at 2:28 am, at the Mercy Health – St. Rita’s Medical Center. Dick was born June 27, 1946, in Coldwater, OH, to Werner G. and Helen M. (Gast) Braun who preceded him in death. On April 25, 1987, he married Lori (Rosendale) Braun who survives in Lima.
How do you begin to tell the story of an amazing man? Dick came back from Vietnam with a badly wounded spirit, and a hardened heart. But when he met Jesus, that all changed. He had such a heart for God, and for his people. He was truly a teddy bear-gruff on the outside and so incredibly tender on the inside.
He held many jobs in his life, and some might say that was a bad thing. But God took every skill he learned and used it for his kingdom. Dick’s wife said he could probably build a house with his bare hands, and that’s not too far from the truth. He went on probably 30 mission trips to Belize, including one where he stayed for a month helping with multiple building projects. He was on the board of directors for Mountain Marketplace Mission in Webster Springs, WV, having taken probably 50 trips there. Dick had friends from all walks of life. He was truly a man’s man. It was said of him after one trip to Belize that if they needed a canoe, he would have been able to chop down a tree and carve one.
In addition to his wife Lori, Dick is survived by his children: Gregory (Dee) Braun of Columbus Grove, OH and Tina (Kevin) Sandler of Saint Marys, OH, grandchildren: Austin (Jyn Veras) Braun, Rhiannon Sandler and Nicholas Sandler, a brother, Bob (Paula) Braun of Lima, OH, Jamey Truex, who was closer than a brother and numerous nieces and nephews and his previous spouse, Sondra Braun of Bluffton, OH. Dick had several “adopted” sons, including Lonnie Rettig of Harrod, Mike Wang of Lima, and Ryan Hefner of Ottawa. He also had a beloved “daughter”, Pamela Truex of Lima, who considered him to be her second father. His extended family includes: his mother in-law, Jo Rosendale of Delphos, OH, a brother in-law, Glen Rosendale of Palo Alto, CA, sisters in-law: Kathi (Ron) Muela of Poway, CA, Angie (Kurt) Wilson of Coeur d’ Alene, ID, Sandi (Jim) Swanson of Grove City, OH, Nancy (Dave) Jenkins of Westerville, OH, Elaine (Mike) McCormack of Spencerville, OH and Valerie (Kevin) Batson of Hazelwood, MO.
There will be a funeral service held on Saturday, May 8, 2021, at 11:00 am at the CHILES-LAMAN FUNERAL AND CREMATIONS SERVICES, SHAWNEE CHAPEL. Officiating the service will be Pastor Gene Salsbury. Burial of cremated remains will be held privately at a later date in a national cemetery. Following the service there will be military honors provided by the U.S. Army and the VFW #1275.
Friends may call on Friday from 4-8 pm at the SHAWNEE CHAPEL. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Restoration Temple. Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.chiles-lamanfh.com.