Richard J. Skerl

BARBERTON---Richard J. Skerl Sr., "Dick", 83, passed away October 25, 2014 at Summa Barberton Hospital. Dick was born in Barberton to Anthony and Antoinette (Gerbec) Skerl. He graduated from Barberton High School in 1949 and the Industrial Trades Institute in 1956.


He worked at Seiberling Tire and Rubber Co from 1955-1965. He retired from B.F. Goodrich-Michelin in 1991 after 26 A½ years as a tire development engineer, holding many tire patents. Dick served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War from 1951-1953 and was stationed in Germany. He was a baseball pitcher for the Army battalion. He then went on to pitch as a pro in the minor leagues in Canada for the Baltimore Orioles farm team in 1954. He also pitched Class A-Sandlot League and was a coach for little league. Dick enjoyed gardening, fishing, reading and doing crossword puzzles. He was a member of St. Andrew the Apostle Catholic Church where he was a Eucharistic Minister and usher. He belonged to K.S.K.J. St. Joseph's Lodge No. 110 and Greek Catholic Union Lodge No. 644


Preceded in death by his parents Anthony and Antoinette; Survivors include his loving wife of 57 years, Martha (nee Benya); sons Richard Jr. of Avon Lake and Robert of Tallmadge; daughters Mary Ann (Jeff) Smathers of The Plains, Ohio and Marcia (Jim) Regnery of Lovettsville, VA; grandchildren Bradley Fink, Alec (Katya) Fink, Brendan, Kara and Alexander Regnery; brother Bernard (Nancy) Skerl of Doylestown; and Mary Krunich of Norton.


Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 9:30 A.M. on Wednesday, October 29, 2014 at St. Andrew the Apostle Catholic Church, 4022 Johnson Rd., Norton. Fr. James Maloney celebrant. Interment at Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery. Calling Hours Tuesday from 5-8 P.M. at the SILVA-HOSTETLER FUNERAL HOME, 1199 Wooster Rd. West, Barberton, where prayers will be said Wednesday morning at 9:00 A.M.