Carl G. Richards

Carl G. Richards, age 86, of Smyrna, DE, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, December 10, 2013. Carl was born in Wilkes Barre, PA on January 11, 1927, and was a son of the late Robert John Richards and Mary Hanks Richards. He proudly served his country in the US Army during WWII, and later as a reservist in the US Navy. He worked at Baldwin Locomotives in Wilkes Barre before relocating to Wilmington. Carl made his career as a carpenter with I.C.I. at the company’s Atlas Point location, retiring in July of 1986 after 28 years of dedicated service. He was a longtime member of Hope Lutheran in New Castle, Peace Lutheran Church in Smyrna, and of the American Legion. An avid sports fan, he enjoyed cheering on the Eagles, Phillies, and William Penn High School football team each season. In his leisure time, Carl liked watching old western movies and especially looked forward to his Monday and Thursday night poker games with the men of Bon Ayre in Smyrna. Gregarious and outgoing by nature, he was a true people person and a wonderful storyteller. Carl was happiest at his cottage in Riverdale, where he spent his summers and adored spending time with his family. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, Robert Richards. Carl is survived by his beloved wife of almost 62 years, Marian Jones Richards; children, Keith Richards, Diane Reynolds and husband Howie, Elaine Poole and husband Chuck, and John Richards; 11 grandchildren; 9 great grandchildren; many nieces and nephews; and 2 additional great grandchildren expected next spring. The family wishes to extend a special thank you to the doctors and nurses at Bayhealth Medical Center in Dover for the compassionate care they gave to Carl during his illness. Friends may call from 2 pm until 4 pm on Sunday, December 15, 2013 at the Spicer-Mullikin Funeral Home, 1000 N. DuPont Parkway, New Castle, DE. A funeral service will be held at 9:30 am on Monday, December 16, 2013, at the funeral home. Interment will follow in Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery, 2465 Chesapeake City Road, Bear, DE. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to American Heart Association, 200 Continental Drive, Ste. 101, Newark, DE 19713.