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NORTH LIMA -- The Rev. Richard Carl Bartholomew Sr. passed from this life on Saturday, the 15th day of August, in the year of our Lord 2026, at the age of 92. His wife of nearly 75 years, Maxine Fay Bartholomew, was by his side along with many family members. He passed away at his daughter's home in North Lima.
Richard was born to Carl Henry and Hazel Marie Metzler Bartholomew on Jan. 16, 1934, at their home on state Route 46 in Columbiana.
After a brief move to Arizona, the family returned to the area where Richard grew up on Pine Lake Road and attended North Lima schools. There, he met his high school sweetheart, Maxine. They were married on Oct. 15, 1951.
Richard worked as a skilled welder at Columbiana Boiler Works, where he excelled in his trade.
Though baptized June 17, 1951, he accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as his personal Savior in 1952. After carefully examining the doctrines of the local churches, he and Maxine chose to become part of the Mennonite community of faith.
In 1956, they were called to Youngstown to help with a mission church on the South Side, where they served for 12 years. What began as supportive ministry became a pastoral calling, and Richard left the welding trade he loved to serve the Lord.
He was ordained Nov. 13, 1960, and called to pastor Rockview Mennonite Church. Under his leadership, the small mission church grew to 180 in attendance, becoming the most successful church plant of its era in the Ohio Conference of the Mennonite Church. He later followed God's lead to pastor North Lima Mennonite Church. During his ministry, he furthered his education through courses at Malone College and Eastern Mennonite.
After retiring from North Lima Mennonite, Richard continued serving the Lord in several churches, sometimes as co-pastor with Maxine, including Berean Mennonite, Conneaut Mennonite and Maple Grove Mennonite.
Richard served the Ohio Conference of the Mennonite Church as bishop/overseer, mentoring pastors and providing leadership to many churches. He conducted evangelistic meetings throughout the years and served as president of the Ohio Conference from 1984 to 1986. His influence extended to many pastors, including his sons and grandsons.
Richard was preceded in death by his parents, Carl and Hazel Bartholomew; his brother, John Bartholomew; and his sister, Jean (Bartholomew, Mellinger) Dill.
He is survived by his wife, Maxine; daughters, Marilyn (Richard) Carr and Patricia (Robert) Piriak; and sons, Richard Jr. (Rebecca) and James (Pamela).
His grandchildren are Richard "Rocky" (Hope) Carr, Randall (Deanne) Carr, Robert "Rob" (Nikki) Piriak, Marla (Christopher) Freitag, Tina (Adam) Miller, Richard (Esther) Bartholomew, Joshua (Anna) Bartholomew, Benjamin (Monica) Bartholomew, Isaac (Krystal) Bartholomew, Abby Bartholomew, Savannah (Christopher) McGahhey and Kandle Messenger. He is also survived by 32 great-grandchildren.
Richard was passionate about his Savior Jesus Christ and his family. During the turmoil of the Civil Rights Movement, he sought to be an ambassador for Christ, sharing the love and hope of the Gospel and longing to see salvation come to all people. He was committed to serving the Lord without sacrificing his children; all four of his children are serving the Lord today.
He was a loving and protective husband, father and Poppy, fiercely loyal and genuine, with a high regard for honesty, compassion, grace and honor.
He loved to fish and hunt and was remarkably gifted at fixing almost anything. Even in recent years, family members would call for his advice when they could not figure out how to fix something. His family treasures countless memories of those times together.
Richard leaves a legacy of faithfulness to Christ, devotion to family and service to the Church. His influence continues through his children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and the many lives he touched throughout his 92 years. Recently he shared his greatest desire for his family was that each follow God's call on their lives in pursuit of faithfulness to God.
Friends may call from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 21, 2026, and from 10 to 11 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026, at the North Lima Mennonite Church, North Lima.
Funeral services will follow at 11 a.m. Saturday at the North Lima Mennonite Church.
Burial will take place in the North Lima Mennonite Church Cemetery.
Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the Warrick-Kummer-Rettig Funeral Home, Columbiana.
The family has requested that any who wish to send a donation, in lieu of flowers, should send it to Agora Ministries, P.O. Box 514, Columbus, OH 43216 or www.agoraministries.org.
Family and friends may view this obituary and send condolences at www.familycareservices.com.
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