Oliver (Richard) Covington, 85, of Keely Road, Franklin died at 3:00 a.m. on Monday, February 10, 2014 at The Caring Place in Franklin.
Born May 28, 1928 in Salamanca, NY, Dick was the son of the late Harold and Jeannetta (Schwab) Covington. He was raised by his grandparents, George and Ida Schwab, on their farm on Buttermilk Hill.
On July 2, 1949 he married the former Gwendolyn A. Whann, who preceded him in death on October 12, 2008.
Mr. Covington proudly served his country in The Army in World War II earning a WWII Victory Ribbon.
Until his retirement, he was employed as a machinist for Joy for 35 years.
He was a member of the Elks Club BPOE #110 and the IAM #1842 Union and was a 4-H leader of the Ruff Riders. Dick enjoyed hunting, fishing, camping, and watching his grandchildren’s sporting events – basketball, baseball, track, and cross country.
Dick is survived by his son, Steven R. Covington and his wife, Celina of Franklin; two daughters, Linda Shouey and her husband, Gale of Franklin, and Karen Hoover and her husband, Marc of Franklin; a sister, Carol Robertson of Franklin; and 13 grandchildren, Justin Palmer and his wife, Kasey, Lindsey Snyder and her husband, Jason, Leah Ahlin and her husband, Rob, Matthew Shouey and his wife, Renee, Mark Shouey, Amy McCracken and her significant other, Mel, Andrew McCracken and his significant other, Melanie, Alex Hoover, Jay Covington, Zachary Covington, Ryan Covington and his wife, Lauren, Caitlin Gramley and her husband, Nathan, and Erin Ducharme.
He is additionally survived by his 15 great-grandchildren, Bailey, Ceara, Sophia, Jacob, Langley, Mariah, Noah, Camryn, Aidan, Asher, Rowyn, Destiny, Meadow, Mikayla, and Mackenzie; and his beagle, Fritz.
Mr. Covington was preceded in death by his parents, listed above; his wife, Gwendolyn A. Covington; his son, Charles “Chip” Covington; and his brother, Roy Robertson.
Friends will be received at the Gardinier Funeral Home, Inc., 1315 Chestnut Street, Franklin, on Wednesday, February 12, 2014 from 3-7 p.m. Funeral services will be held at the funeral home on Thursday, February 13, 2014 at 11:00 a.m., with the Rev. Roy Gearhart of the Galloway United Methodist Church, officiating. Military honors will be accorded by the V.E.T.S. Honor Guard.
Interment will be in Franklin Cemetery.
In Dick’s memory, memorial donations may be made to the Franklin Little League, PO Box 173, Franklin, PA 16323 and/or The Humane Society, PO Box 1045, Oil City, PA 16301.
To send online condolences, flowers, cards, or for further information, family and friends are invited to visit www.gardinierfuneralhome.com.