Richard P. Wherry, 70, Columbia City died at 11:45 a.m. Friday, Jan. 22, 2016, at Ashton Creek Health and Rehabilitation, Fort Wayne.

He was born May 18, 1945, in Columbia City, a son of the late Harold B. and Mabel (Hickman) Wherry.

His formative years were spent in Union Township, Whitley County. He began his schooling at Coesse and graduated from Columbia City Joint High School in 1963. He then moved to Tulsa, Okla., where he attended Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology.

Following the completion of his college, he took a job with Martin Marietta in Louisiana. After a brief employment in Nebraska, he returned to Indiana, where he resided in Ossian. He was employed by Fort Wayne Air Service for 10 years, Huntington Airport and completed his aviation career at Smith Field, Fort Wayne. Moving to Columbia City, he worked with Walmart for about 10 years.

An outdoorsman, he loved to fish, hunt and camp. He enjoyed feeding the birds and observing their interactions. He was especially found of humming birds. He was a member of the Coesse United Methodist Church.

He is survived by his three daughters: Theresa Bowers, Columbia City, Tonya (Daniel) Burke, Ossian, and Anita (Merle) Uhrick, Columbia City; seven grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and a sister, Betty Walker, Columbia City.

He was preceded in death by a brother, Phillip Wherry, and a great-grandchild.

The funeral service will be at 10 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 28, at Smith & Sons Funeral Home, Columbia City. Burial will be in Union Township Cemetery, Coesse. Visitation will be from 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 27, at the funeral home.

Preferred memorials are to Coesse United Methodist Church.