Dr. Richard J. Shrilla passed away on Friday, Nov. 10, 2017 at home in Mansfield. He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Lorraine Whitaker Shrilla, his son Thomas (Robin) Shrilla, and his daughters Joy Shrilla (Peter Anderson) and Patricia (Richard) Dove. He is also survived by grandchildren Emily and Alexander Shrilla, step grandchildren Cam and Corey (Kari) Anderson, step-great grandson Zane Anderson, sister June Carducci, and sister-in-law Pauline Johnson.
Richard was born Feb. 7, 1931 in Campbell, Ohio to Joseph and Catherine Dzurilla Shrilla. He grew up in Youngstown, Ohio, graduating from Youngstown East High School in 1948. He was a proud graduate of The Ohio State University, earning undergraduate, graduate, and post-graduate degrees in dentistry with a specialty in orthodontics. In college, he participated in ROTC and was a member of the Delta Sigma Delta dental fraternity.
Following graduation, Richard married Lorraine Whitaker in Mt. Gilead, Ohio. They moved to Massachusetts where Richard served in the Dental Corps of the United States Army. He was honorably discharged after two years of service as a Captain.
Richard practiced orthodontics for 39 years in Mansfield. Orthodontics was a rewarding profession; he took great pride in giving his patients beautiful smiles. He was a member of the Mansfield Dental Society, Central Ohio Dental Society, Great Lakes Orthodontic Society, and American Association of Orthodontics. He was an officer and chair for these associations.
Richard was a longtime, active member of Boy Scouts Committee Troop 121. He also was a member of Serra, Sertoma, Westbrook Country Club, Score, Our Club, and Hermits. He volunteered at Catholic Charities, working in the food pantry, and was a co-sponsor of GodSquad, a youth group for Catholic teenagers. He was chairman of a group of St. Peter’s parishioners who sponsored a Vietnamese family, the Nguyens, who remained close friends over the years.
The loves of Dick’s life were his family, his church, his profession, and a good round of golf.
Friends may call from 3 to 6 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 14 at the Diamond Street Home of Wappner Funeral Directors, 98 S. Diamond St., Mansfield. Preceding visitation, a Vigil will be held at 2:30 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be recited at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 15 at St. Peter’s Catholic Church celebrated by Father Gregory Hite. Burial will follow in Prince of Peace Cemetery. Memorial contributions if desired, may be made to the Richard and Lorraine Shrilla Fund at the Richland Foundation.
Words of comfort may be expressed at www.wappner.com.
