Richard Cletus Distel, 75, of Tiffin, Ohio died at his residence at 6:30am Thursday, January 4, 2007.

He was born August 19, 1931 in Tiffin, Ohio to the late Arthur and Cora (Shultz) Distel. He married Mary Lou Daniel on October 1, 1955 in St. Joseph Catholic Church, TIffin.

Survivors include his wife, 5 sons, 2 daughters, 14 grandchildren, 5 great-grandchildren, 3 brothers, and 4 sisters.

He was preceded in death by one daughter, Barbra Distel; four brothers, Howard Distel, Eugene Distel, Arthur Distel, and Harvey Distel; and one sister, Sr. Joan of Arc, OSU.

Mr. Distel graduated from Calvert High School in 1949 where he was the quarterback for the football team. He served in the United States Marine Corps and was Honorably Discharged in 1953. He worked at Tiffin Manufacturing until 1960, National Machinery from 1960-1969, and retired from Mercy Hospital in 1995. Mr. Distel was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church and served as an Usher there. He was a member of the Third Degree Knights of Columbus, the Optimists, the Elks. Mr. Distel enjoyed woodworking, crafts, and played softball until he was 64 years old. He loved telling jokes and stories, traveling the countryside, participating in sports and spending time with his grandchildren.


The funeral Mass will be officiated by Rev. James K. Say at 11:00am Saturday, January 6, 2007 in St. Joseph Catholic Church in Tiffin. The Rosary will be recited 15 minutes prior to the service at the church. Burial will be in Seneca Memory Gardens.

Visitation will be on Friday, January 5, 2007 from 2-4 and 6-8pm at the Traunero Funeral Home, 214 S. Monroe Street, Tiffin, Ohio 44883 (419) 447-3113. There will be a Wake Service at 7:45pm on Friday at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Bridge Hospice Care, Ursuline Retirement Fund, or St. Joseph Catholic Church in care of Traunero Funeral Home.