Richard Duane Whitis, 86, of Pioneer passed away Monday evening at the Defiance Area Inpatient Hospice Center after a three month illness.  He was born March 18, l926 in Toledo, Ohio to Edward and Ocie (Fruchey) Whitis. Richard graduated from Alvordton High School in 1944 and immediately joined the United States Marine Corps during World War II. On September 10, 1949 he married Leona M. Grine in Bryan, Ohio and she survives. Richard worked at Hayes Albion 50-Division in Bryan for 38 years as a tool and die maker retiring in May of 1988. He was an over 50 year member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church; a member of Pioneer American Legion Post #307 and a former member of the Knights of Columbus.  Richard was an avid gardener and loved to hunt and fish and to be outdoors. But his real love was for his family especially his grandchildren. Richard is survived by his wife of 62 years; three daughters: Sharon (Bill) Aeschliman of Montpelier; Ruth (Alan) Stouder of Pioneer and Gwen (Mark) Schmucker of Pioneer; 1 Daughter-in-law: Chris M. Whitis of Pioneer; nine grandchildren Nikki Altaffer, Kim (Shawn) Owen, Adam Aeschliman, Emily Stouder, Emil Whitis, Megan, Whitis, Evan Whitis, Jason Schmucker, Jessi Schmucker and four great grandchildren; one brother: Noel Whitis of Bourbonnais, Illinois; one sister: Ellene Harris of Leipsic, Ohio. Richard was preceded in death by his parents, one son: Ed D. Whitis on May 30, 2009 and one brother: Robert Coe Whitis. A time to receive family and friends for Richard will be Thursday June 14 at the Thompson Funeral Home in Pioneer from 2 until 7:30 p.m. A Rosary service will be at 7:30 p.m.  The funeral service will be at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Montpelier at 10:30 a.m. with Father Fred Duschl to officiate.  Burial will follow at Floral Grove Cemetery in Pioneer with military graveside rites being performed by the Pioneer Veterans. Preferred memorials are to the Community Health Professionals/Hospice or Sacred Heart Catholic Church.