Richard D. Chilton 1937-2026

Born May 10, 1937, in Roanoke, Virginia, he was the son of the late Claude Davis Chilton and Bessie Alice Green Chilton. Richard was a proud veteran, devoted husband and father, master mechanic and gifted storyteller.

At 17, he enlisted in the United States Air Force, serving from 1954 until his retirement in 1974, as an aircraft mechanic and flight engineer. His service included assignments connected to Vietnam, Tripoli, Libya and Labrador, Canada.

In 1966, he married the love of his life, Ann Francina Hackenbracht, and together they raised three children while living in various locations throughout the United States during his military career.

Following his retirement from the Air Force, Richard worked for 10 years at Sears in Springfield, before a heart condition led to early retirement. Despite being given a limited life expectancy, he went on to live another 42 years.

Richard and Ann later lived in Arizona and Texas, before returning to Ohio in 2009 and settling in Youngstown.

In retirement, Richard enjoyed sharing stories from his years in the service, playing guitar inspired by Chet Atkins, attending bingo with Ann, and watching classic Westerns and sci-fi shows from the 1950s and ’60s. He loved old cars and guns and greatly enjoyed restoring a 1969 Chevy truck with his son, Joe. He was rarely seen without his cowboy boots and either a cowboy hat or Vietnam veteran cap.

Richard is survived by his beloved wife, Ann; his daughter, Lisa (Larry) Esquivel of Christine, Texas; his sons, Joseph Chilton of Columbus, William Chilton of Virginia and Dennis Chilton of Virginia; his grandchildren, David Chilton, Matthew Chilton, Joseph Chilton, Cassandra (Adam) Jones, Christina (Kyle) Kelly, Katelyn (Doug) Roberts, Kenzie (Austin) Chilton Henry, Taylor (Amon) Frazier, Brandy Manning, Jacob Esquivel, Eli (Sara) Esquivel, Elisa (Anthony) Peiffer and Matt Rife; many great-grandchildren; his sister, Dottie (Ron) Mullins of Jacksonville Beach, Florida; his daughter-in-law, Theresa Chilton of California; and many extended family and friends.

He was preceded in death by his sons, Jonathan and Jeffery Chilton; a grandson, Eddie Chilton; and his siblings, Clarence “Corky” Chilton, Rosemary “Mickey” Spencer and Barbara Jean Ramsey.

Family and friends may call from 9:30 to 11 a.m. Monday, Feb. 23, 2026, at Kinnick Funeral Home, 477 N. Meridian Road, Youngstown, where a funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Interment will follow at Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery in Rittman.

To read the full obituary and to send condolences to Richard’s family, visit kinnickfuneralhome.com.

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