Richard "Ric" E. Lahmers, 76, of Newark, Ohio went to be with the Lord, on Wednesday, August 16, 2023 at Sycamore Run Nursing & Rehabilitation Center in Millersburg, Ohio, following several years of declining health and a short stay at the Center.

Born July 1, 1947 in Dover, Ohio, he was the son of the late Earl and Mildred (Gordon) Lahmers, and was a 1966 graduate of Dover High School. He proudly served our country as a Squad Leader in the Vietnam War as a member of the United States Army from 1967 to 1969 and was honorably discharged.

Ric attended the Missouri Auction School where he earned the honorary title of Colonel and served as a realtor and auctioneer in Licking County, Ohio for more than 40 years. Ric was a friend to many and always willing to share his talents for the betterment of his community. His community service and civic engagements included serving for 16 years as a Madison Township Trustee, board member of the Licking County Coalition of Housing, volunteer for the Licking County Coalition of Care, advisor for the Licking County 4-H Beef Club, member of the American Legion Post 764, Frazeysburg Lions Club, Licking Valley FFA Alumni Association, Licking Valley Athletic Boosters, and a performer in the Frazeysburg Lions Club and 20th Century Club of Newark musicals. He was especially generous with his time, crying numerous benefit auctions, including the Licking Valley Athletic Boosters Dinner/Auction which he was a founder of, Licking Valley FFA Alumni Association Machinery Sale and Club Calf Sale, Junior Fair Livestock Auctions at the Hartford Fair and Tuscarawas County Fair, and so many more. He enjoyed breeding and exhibiting Polled Hereford cattle, was a past president of the Buckeye Polled Hereford Association, and a beef cattle judge at county fairs.

Surviving are his wife, Laura Lahmers who he married July 1, 1978; children, Vanessa (Nick) Johnson of Dover, Justin (Amy) Lahmers of Hilliard, and Tanner (Rachael) Lahmers of Newark; sisters, Ella Marshall of Dover and Judy (Gary) Franks of Bolivar; brother Jeffery Lahmers of Arlington, Virginia; and grandchildren: Cameron Johnson, Abigail and Madalyn Lahmers, Evolett and Harvey Selby, and Kennedy and Talon Lahmers; step-mother-in-law Paulette Young; niece Sonya (Shawn) Hart; and several nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews, and cousins.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his father-in-law and mother-in-law James A. and Phyllis J. Young; a brother-in-law Alan Young; and a nephew Donald Marshall.

Friends may call 4pm to 8pm Tuesday, August 22, 2023 at the Frazeysburg Chapel of Vensil & Chute Funeral Home, 110 West Third Street.

Graveside funeral services will be 1:00pm Wednesday, August 23, 2023 at Dover Burial Park in Dover, Ohio.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Ric's memory to the Licking Valley Panther Pantry, 1379 Licking Valley Rd NE, Newark, Ohio 43055.