Richard D. Wesner, 82 of Ashland passed away, Tuesday morning, December 16, 2025, in his home with his family by his side.
He was born in Ashland on June 7, 1943, the son of the late Donald R. and Gladys M. (nee Stone) Wesner.
Dick graduated from Ashland High School, Class of 1962, where he was an F.F.A. member. He married the love of his life Helen Longsdorf on April 26, 1964.
For the past 68 years, since the age of 14, Dick has spent his life as a Farmer. His true joy in life was spending time on Wesner Farm earning a Young Farmer of the Year award in 1977. He was also a member of the Northeast Ohio Pork Producers.
When not farming, Dick enjoyed annual camping at Mohican State Park, Lake Erie fishing trips, and coon hunting with friends and family. He has hunted and traveled the world with his personal guide and son-in-law, Mike Goschinksi. Dick visited New Zealand, Alaska, British Columbia, New Mexico, Wyoming, Quebec, Texas, Pennsylvania, Ohio, New York, South Dakota, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, and Arizona. An accomplished hunter in his own rite, Dick earned first place in the National Coon Hunters Assoc. World Hunt, and second and fourth places in the United Kennel Club of America, an accomplishment he was very proud of.
Dick served as a Montgomery Township Trustee for 32 years, retiring as the longest serving trustee in recent history. He also served the Ashland County Landmark Board for 30 years, Ashland County Coon Hunters Club as President, co-founder, and a lifetime member since the age of 12, past trustee of Maple Grove Church of the Brethren, Agape Acres, Ashland County Farm Bureau, Zoning Board, and a member of the Ashland FFA. Dick also competed in the Ashland County Fair Tractor Pulls for many years.
Dick is survived by his loving wife of 61 years, Mrs. Helen (Longsdorf) Wesner of Ashland; five children, Marty (Jennifer) Wesner of Ashland, Natalie (Mike) Goschinksi of Ashland and Wheatland, Wyoming, Susan (Steve) Hannahs of Delaware, Sherri (Jason Klein) Wesner of Peninsula, and Robert Wesner of Ashland; ten grandchildren, Cassie (Brandon) Swanson of Sullivan, Brooke Wesner of Ashland, Megan (Casey) Wesner of Ashland, Emily (Adam) Harding of Ashland, Audrey (Levi Jones) Hannahs of Ashland, Emma Hannahs of Columbus, Genevieve (Jack) Schultz of Ashland, Ella (Noah) Osborne of Jacksonville, Alabama, Mekah and Arowyn Wesner of Bradenton, Florida; nine great grandchildren, Kinsley, Connor, Zayne, Ian, Penelope, Sutton, Kit, Marlow, and Holland; one sister, Linda Mohrman of Ashland; two sisters-in-law, Nancy McBride of Georgia and Janet (Reed) Stone of Ashland; and two brothers-in-law, Fred Longsdorf of Nova and Charlie Longsdorf of Nova; and many nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents, Dick is preceded in death by his wife’s parents, Blake and Genevieve Longsdorf; two brothers, Wayne and Mike Wesner; one brother-in-law, Glenn McBride; and two sisters-in-laws, Francis and Sarah Longsdorf.
Funeral services will be held on Monday, December 22, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. at Maple Grove Church of the Brethren sanctuary with Pastor’s Steve Keib and John Ballinger presiding. Interment will follow at the Nankin Cemetery. Friends and family may visit on Sunday, December 21, 2025, from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at Maple Grove Church of the Brethren sanctuary and one hour prior to the service from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at the church on Monday.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Maple Grove Church of the Brethren, 960 Township Road 964, Ashland, Ohio 44805, Ashland County Coon Hunters Club, c/o Jeff Jones, 1312 Twp Rd 593, Ashland, Ohio 44805, or to Hospice of the Western Reserve, 1021 Dauch Drive, Ashland, Ohio 44805.
For those who may not be able to attend, online condolences may be shared on the funeral home’s website at denbowfh.com.
Denbow-Gasche Funeral Home & Crematory has been entrusted to handle the arrangements.
Funeral Home: Denbow-Gasche Funeral Home
Website: denbowfh.com