Richard L. Shively

In Miamisburg, Ohio, there is a little red dachshund named Mickey with a broken heart. During the last week of Dick’s life, Mickey never left his side. He went without food and water, and watched the “daddy person” take his last breaths. Ever faithful, he stayed by him until the very end. It’s funny how our pets assume the personalities of their owners. Because “ever faithful” is an excellent choice of words to describe our beloved, departed Dick.

An ever faithful husband, Dick went to heaven first to prepare a place for his wife, June. She says that someday, when it is her time, she will now not be afraid. They met at a Christmas party in December of 1995 when Dick pretended to be Santa (with his white beard) just to be able to ask June what she wanted for Christmas. Ever faithful, when June moved to Florida to be close to her firstborn grandchild, Jose, Dick followed right after her. They married there and welcomed four more grandchildren during their years in Orlando, Eleana, Renae, Isabel, and Bailey. Dick and June’s song was Keeper of the Stars by Tracy Byrd. You can watch the song videos by clicking song titles on this page.

Ever faithful, as a father, Dick was never more proud than when his daughter, Anne, graduated from college, or when he walked her down the aisle into the arms of her husband, Rob. His step-children, Ken and Sarah, were welcome additions to his family instead of ever being just his “wife’s kids”. Before he passed, Sarah was able to tell him that the Brad Paisley song He Didn’t Have to Be always reminded her of him.

The ever faithful grandfather, Dick would dote and worry after his grandkids, but he never let them know. For them, he was always strong, and wise, and full of love and fun times. He taught his grandson how to fish, and the girls how to not be afraid of icky things like bugs and blue crabs. He shared the gift of patience, with them all, saying things like “slow down now”, or asking “what’s the rush?” Most of all, he made a point to share his faith with them. None of them will ever wonder what his spiritual beliefs were.

Dick was a son, a brother, a brother in law, an uncle, a great friend, and an ever faithful servant to his fellow man. He always offered help to anyone in need. He loved his family, his friends, and his lord, Jesus Christ. Ever faithful, he told death to wait for his sister, Ruth, and her husband, Ogie, to arrive from Florida to say good-bye - after he had already had the opportunity to do so with his mother, Dorothy, his niece, Jan, and her husband, Mike, his nephew, Jimmy, and his friend and pastor, Brad.

On Wednesday, September 7th, 2011 at 3:10 p.m. our ever faithful Dick took his last breaths with his family by his side. Then a little red dachshund named Mickey nudged his hand to try and revive him before he really accepted that Dick was gone. Mickey jumped off of the bed, and has stayed by June’s side ever since, being ever faithful, just like the “daddy person” would have wanted.

We love you Dick! We will see you on the other side! And, say hello for us to the keeper of the stars!