J. Richard “Rich” Gratz, 94, died at 3:31 a.m. on Monday, Jan. 28, 2019, at St. Rita’s Medical Center, Lima.

Rich was born on April 12, 1924, in Bluffton, Ohio, to the late Christian and Caddie (Cook) Gratz. On Sunday, Oct. 17, 1948, he married Betty L. (Roush) Gratz, who preceded him in death on Jan. 31, 2002.

Rich was a 1942 graduate of Bluffton High School. He was also a graduate of Bluffton College (BA) and Indiana University (MA). He was a member of the Ohio Coaches’ Hall of Fame, and the Bluffton College Hall of Fame. He was also a member of the Ebenezer Church in Bluffton, Ohio, and a frequent attendee of Union Chapel Missionary Church.

He is survived by five children: Todd (Victoria Cunningham) Gratz of Olympia, Wash., Kevin (Mary) Gratz of Bluffton, Kathey (Thurlow) Spurr of Orlando, Fla., Lori (Bill) Scherger of Lima, and Steven (Andrea) Gratz of Columbus, five grandchildren: Kara (Seth) Zink, Kyle (Amy) Gratz, Matthew Fuhrman, Hannah Fuhrman, and Maddie Mae Spurr, five great grandchildren, a brother, Robert (Dortha) Gratz, and a very special friend, Sharon Bradford.

He was preceded in death by his parents and wife.

The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 31, at Ebenezer Church, 8905 Columbus Grove-Bluffton Road, Bluffton. Services will immediately follow at 7 p.m. at Ebenezer Church, Bluffton.

Condolences may be expressed at www.chamberlinhuckeriede.com.