John Richard Weaver (J. Richard or Dick) died Friday evening, Aug. 19, 2016,  at the Mennonite Memorial Home in Bluffton, Ohio. 

Dick was born in Goshen, Ind., on Sept. 3, 1920, to Elnora (Kauffman) and John E. Weaver. He graduated from Goshen High School in 1938 as valedictorian.

He graduated from Bluffton College in 1942 with a degree in chemistry.

He entered Civilian Public Service (CPS) during World War II, serving in Sidling Hill, Pa., Ypsilanti, Mich., and La Plata, Puerto Rico. 

On June 8, 1943, he and Margaret Shelly were married. 

In 1946 Dick entered a Ph. D. program in chemistry at the University of Michigan. In 1950 he accepted a position teaching chemistry at Bluffton College, where he served as a professor for 39 years.

He was a member of the American Chemical Society, served as chair of the Chicago Mennonite Learning Center board, and participated on numerous college and church committees and community organizations.

An Eagle Scout in high school, as an adult Dick was awarded the Silver Beaver for his many years of service as Cubmaster along with other adult leadership roles in the Boy Scouts of America.

Dick was preceded in death by his sister, Eleanor (Isaac) Neufeldt. Surviving are his wife, Margaret Weaver, of Bluffton; his seven children: Jerry Weaver, of Bluffton; Cynthia Weaver (Neil Sass), of Tiffin, Ohio; Louise (Jim) Zaffiro, of Pella, Iowa; Sally Weaver (Jon) Sommer, of Bluffton; Shelly (Curtis) Weaverdyck, of Ann Arbor, Michigan; Paul (Laurel) Neufeld Weaver, of Bluffton; and Marsha Weaver (Lyle Henry), of Bluffton. Also surviving are sixteen grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held at 4 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 5, at First Mennonite Church, Bluffton, preceded by visitation from 2 to 3:30 p.m. in the church Fellowship Hall.

Memorial gifts may be made to Bluffton University. The family encourages support for the Weaver Discovery Fund for Study in Latin America.

Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.chiles-lamanfh.com.  Chiles-Laman Funeral & Cremation Services, Bluffton have been entrusted with the arrangements.