Wm. Richard "Dick" Horn II

Wm. Richard "Dick" Horn II, 84, of Bellefontaine, passed away on Tuesday, March 3, 2026, in the Otterbein Green Hills Senior Life Community, West Liberty.

He was born on January 10, 1942, in Bellefontaine, Ohio, the son of the late William Richard Horn I and Margaret Eunice (Underwood) Horn.

Dick graduated from Bellefontaine High School in 1959 and went on to earn a Bachelor of Science Degree in Zoology from The Ohio State University in 1965 and a Master of Education from the University of Dayton in 1990 . He started his career as a Biology and Anatomy and Physiology Teacher in 1966 and was appointed Athletic Director and Assistant Principal for Bellefontaine City Schools in 1991. He spent many years as the High School Athletic Trainer and was a long time Football and Track Coach. He retired in 1999.

Dick married Barbara Ann (Huska) in Orrville, Ohio on August 27, 1966. The couple had four children, Erinn Whitehead, Meghan Bramlage, Brighid Matvias and Connor Horn. Dick and Barb were also blessed with eight grandchildren.

Dick is survived by his wife, Barbara Ann Horn, his children, Erinn (Michael) Whitehead, Meghan (Stephen) Bramlage, Brighid (Fred) Matvias, and Connor Horn, a sister Marylinn Horn, eight grandchildren, Mallorey Whitehead, Karys Whitehead, McKenna Bramlage, Mitchell Bramlage, Evan Bramlage, Freddie Matvias, Henry Matvias, and Avery Horn.

Dick had an immense love of nature. He cherished all living beings which led him to pursue a degree in Zoology at Ohio State. However, he loved to learn and while at Ohio State took any class that he felt was interesting, increasing his knowledge in all subjects. That knowledge made him an expert while watching Jeopardy or mastering the daily crossword. He was an avid fisherman and worked at a golf course in retirement - just so he could spend time in nature in the morning. Upon retirement he served as a 20-year Docent at the Columbus Zoo, often visiting his grandchildren's classrooms and sharing information on various reptiles and animals with the students.

Volunteerism and serving the community was a cornerstone in Dick's life. Dick was a faithful community servant and community leader. During his life he was member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of the Elks (BPOE), the Bellefontaine Chapter of the Symposiarchs, served on the Bellefontaine Parks Board, the Metropolitan Housing Commission as well as serving as a Bellefontaine City Councilman from 1980-1985.

Dick was a member of St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Bellefontaine and Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Marysville. He was an active member of St. Vincent de Paul and served in outreach to the unhoused community in Columbus.

Father Shawn Landenwitch will celebrate a Mass of Christian Burial on Tuesday, March 10, 2026, at 11:00am in the St. Patrick Catholic Church, Bellefontaine. Visitation will be Monday, March 9th from 4 to 7pm at the Eichholtz & Daring Funeral Home & Cremation Center, 321 N. Main St., Bellefontaine, Ohio 43311. Burial will be in Bellefontaine Cemetery.

Memorial donations can be made in Dick's name to the Dick Horn Memorial Scholarship through the Logan County Education Foundation, 2280 State Route 540. Bellefontaine, OH.

EICHHOLTZ & DARING FUNERAL HOME, & CREMATION CENTER, BELLEFONTAINE, is honored to serve the Horn family and encourages anyone to share a fond memory or message of condolence at www.eichholtzdaring.com 

family authored / TFD