Harold R. ''Dick'' Wells, 74, Accomplished Blue Grass Rhythm Guitarist

He was born on March 2, 1931 in Pleasant City, Ohio and graduated from Pleasant City High School. He lived in Vermilion since 1961, having also lived in Elyria, Sheffield Lake and Southern Ohio.

He was a United States Army Veteran serving during the Korean War. He served in both the infantry and as an announcer for the Armed Forces Radio in Japan.

After three years at the University of Southern California, he worked for over 30 years for the Federal Aviation Administration as an air traffic controller and data systems specialist at the Oberlin ARTCC. He also worked from 1986 - 2000 as a manager for DISC (Diversified International Sciences Corporation).

He was an accomplished Blue Grass rhythm guitarist, traveling and playing at festivals in the Southern Ohio and West Virginia region. He was a member of the Firelands Shrine Club, serving as President in 2000, member and past-president of the High-Twelve International and a 32nd degree Mason and 25 year member of the Masonic Lodge of Ohio.

Survivors include a son, David Wells of Amherst, Ohio; daughter, Jodi Anne Ivanovich of Fredericksburg, VA; 3 grandchildren; sister, Jean Wagner of Dresden, Ohio and brother, Stanley Wells of Pleasant City, Ohio; many nieces and nephews.

Preceding him in death were his wife, Marleah Jean (nee Beeler) Wells and parents, Harold and Ruth (nee Danford) Wells.

Friends may call Tuesday, December 27, 2005 from 5-8 pm at the Riddle Funeral Home, 5345 South Street, Vermilion, Ohio, where services will be on Wednesday, December 28, 2005 at 11:00am. The Reverend Chuck Davis will officiate. Interment will follow in Maple Grove Cemetery.

Memorial contributions are suggested to the Shriners Children's Burn Hospital, 3229 Burnet Avenue, Cincinnati, Ohio 45229-3094.

Online condolences may be made to www.riddlefuneralhome.com.