Richard Kohls

NEW CLEVELAND – Richard Kohls, 90, of New Cleveland, passed away at 2:28 a.m., Saturday, January 17, 2026, at The Meadows of Leipsic. He was born July 6, 1935, in Ottawa to the late Neil and Mary (Recker) Kohls. On June 20, 1959, he married Joann Gerdeman in Glandorf. They were married 66 wonderful years.

Richard is survived by his wife Joann; five children: John (Lisa) Kohls of Leipsic, David (Janice) Kohls of New Cleveland, Gary (Cheryl) Kohls of Wauseon, Karen (Rick) Selhorst of Bowling Green and Mark (Karen) Kohls of Canton, GA; sixteen grandchildren: Kristopher Kohls, Katelyn Kohls, Ashley Kohls, Chad Kohls, Dana (Sailesh) Kadam, Brittany Kohls, Stephanie (Jacob) Litwiller, Tony (Kasey) Darnell-Kohls, Andrew (Taylor) Kohls, Amanda (Mike) Dawson, Megan (Chris) Vas, Jenna Selhorst, Brian Selhorst, Neil Kohls, Abby Kohls and Sean Kohls; eight great-grandchildren; a sister, Betty (Normand) Thibault of Dade City, FL; and a brother-in-law, Dennis (Jane) Gerdeman of Glandorf.

In addition to his parents, he was also preceded in death by a brother, Msgr. Eugene Kohls.

Richard was a graduate of Leipsic High School and had a passion for farming. He grew up on a farm and farmed his entire life. In 1972, Richard earned “Outstanding Farmer of the Year”. Richard also served in the National Guard. He was a member of Holy Family Catholic Church, New Cleveland and the Holy Aid Society, Knights of Columbus and the Putnam County Farm Bureau. He was a past member of the Putnam County Cattlemen’s Association, Maumee Valley RC&D, Holy Family Parish Council and the SWCD, where he served as a supervisor for 21 years.

Richard enjoyed fishing on Lake Erie, playing solo and woodworking. He loved spending time with his children, especially his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

The family would like to thank The Meadows of Leipsic for their wonderful care and compassion for Richard.

Funeral Mass will begin at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, January 24, 2026, at Holy Family Catholic Church, New Cleveland with Fr. Scott Perry officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. Visitation will be held from 2 to 4 and 5 to 7 p.m. on Friday with a K of C rosary service beginning at 7 p.m. and again on Saturday from 9 to 9:30 a.m. at LOVE-HEITMEYER FUNERAL HOME, Leipsic.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Holy Family Catholic Church or The Meadows of Leipsic.

Condolences may be expressed at www.loveheitmeyer.com