Richard (Dick) Onest

Richard “Dick” Onest, age 85, passed away on Monday, December 28, 2020.

Dick was born on November 18, 1935 in Erie, PA the son of Frank and Henrietta (Kidon) Onest.

Dick was a 1953 graduate of Albion High School. Following high school, Dick enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in January of 1954. For the next four years, Dick served as an aircraft engine mechanic. During this time, atomic bomb testing was being conducted in the Marshall Islands. Dick was one of seven crew members who photo-mapped the islands following the bomb testing.

After being honorably discharged, Dick spent six years as an apprentice tool and die maker in Meadville. During this time, he fell in love with Mary Ann “Sis” who had two children of her own. Dick treated them as his own as they grew and started their own families. 

Dick retired from Premix after 33 years.

Dick and Sis always loved spending time with their family. They traveled to wherever their family resided. Bridge Day in Fayetteville, West Virginia was an annual trip. They especially enjoyed going on fun adventures with Mary’s sister and brother-in-law who happened to be their best friends, George and Elsie DuFour. 

Dick, known as Papa to all of his grandchildren, could cook anything. “Papa” soup was his specialty. When grandchildren would go out to the farm to pick wild black raspberries to bring home to papa, within two hours a hot pie would be fresh out of the oven. There was always a seat at Mama and Papa’s table. 

Dick and Sis were longtime members of Saints Peter and Paul Orthodox Church in Crossingville, Pennsylvania. They would help prepare cabbage rolls and pierogies every year. Dick was a man of great faith who although could not attend church in recent years, attended bible club frequently. 
Dick was a man of few words but full of love.

For the past three years, Dick has been a resident at the Villa at the Lake where he was active in the Men’s Club and Bible Study. He loved socializing and sharing stories. 

Richard is survived by children, Donald “Joe” (Penny) Allen of Sheffield and Patsy Gleason of Conneaut; brothers, Francis (Marilyn) Onest of Lancaster, PA and Theodore “Ted” (Gail) Onest of Orcala, Florida; son-in-law, Richard Gleason; grandchildren, Kelli Allen-Scafuro, Kristopher (Dawn) Allen, Kasey (Tami) Allen, Kristen (Jeff) Block, U.S. Navy Commander Rick Gleason, Kori (Nick) Roberts, thirteen great-grandchildren, Kadi Scafuro, Ashton, Hayley and Claire Allen, Brock (Hannah) and Bionca McCullough, Ari and Ezra Block, Max and Hope Gleason, Sebastian, Zavier and Annalia Roberts and sister-in-law Carol Onest.

Dick is preceded in death by his beloved wife of 49 years, Mary Ann “Sis” (Kessler) Onest; brother, Jacob Onest and his parents.

Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, no visitation will be observed. 

A funeral service will be live streamed on Saturday, January 2nd at 1:00 P.M. on the Raisian Family Funeral Home Facebook page.

Entombment will take place at Greenlawn Memorial Gardens Mausoleum with Military Honors performed by American Legion #151.

Memorial contributions may be made in Dick’s name to Saints Peter and Paul Orthodox Church, 25636 Moisertown Road, Crossingville Pennsylvania 16412.

Services are entrusted to Raisian Family Funeral Home, 581 Harbor Street Conneaut, Ohio. 

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