Richard O'Dell Pauley, age 85, of Portage passed away Friday October 21, 2016. He was born July 8, 1931 in South Charleston, WV to the late Leonidas and Grace (Patterson) Pauley. He was a 1951 graduate of Charleston High School. Richard was a Pipefitter that retired from the Budd Company in 1983 with 24 years of service when the plant closed, he later retired from the Ford Motor Company Assembly Plant in Chicago with 10 years of service. He also worked in power plants in WV and East Chicago. He was a loving father and grandfather that taught his children to work on cars and maintain their homes properly. He loved making Balsa Wood Model Airplanes and reading westerns and sea stories.

On October 26, 1951 he married the love of his life Ava B. (nee Tolar) Pauley who survives him; also surviving are his 4 children, Michael J. (Felegia) Pauley, Richard Douglas Pauley, Thomas Q. Pauley and Betsy S. (Norman) Pauley Cuthbert; one half-brother; 10 grandchildren; 10 great grandchildren; and many extended family members and friends. He will surely be missed.

Richard was preceded in death by his parents; one son David S. Pauley; 4 half-brothers and half-sisters.

Visitation will be Wednesday October 26, 2016 from 2-6 pm at Rees Funeral Home, Olson Chapel 5341 Central Avenue, Portage, Indiana 46368. Cremation will follow. Ashes will be interred in Cunningham Memorial Cemetery in St. Albans, WV at a later date.

In lieu of flowers memorial gifts are preferred to the Southern Care Hospice Service, 1101 E. Glendale Blvd., Suite 102, Valparaiso, IN 46383.