HOWARD – Richard Lyle Bline, 70, of Howard, formerly of Granville, passed away on Wednesday, March 17, 2021, at his home under the care of hospice after a battle with cancer. He was born on Aug. 31, 1950, to the late Lyle G. and Etta (Richards) Bline.
Rick graduated from Granville High School in 1968 and went on to study at The Ohio State University before earning his associate degree in nursing from Central Ohio Technical College in 1991. The first part of his working career was in journalism, and he was a former owner and publisher of the Granville Sentinel. After earning his RN, Rick held many nursing positions throughout central Ohio and Boca Raton, Florida, over the last 30 years. He was employed as a health aide with Newark City Schools at the time of his passing.
Rick was an active member of his community and an avid Ohio State Buckeyes fan. In his earlier years, he was a member of Granville Presbyterian Church, president of the Granville Athletic Boosters, a member of both the Newark and Granville Jaycees, a volunteer with Big Brothers/Big Sisters, and a volunteer firefighter and paramedic for the Granville Township Fire Department for 20-plus years. In more recent years, Rick was a board member and volunteer at the Knox County Salvation Army, a board member of the Apple Valley Homeowners Association and a member of the Apple Valley Golf League.
He is survived by his life partner of 22 years, Mary Lyons, and her sons, Marc (Kelly) Lyons, Grant (Lisa) Lyons, and Mathew (Shelli) Lyons and their families. Rick is also survived by his brother, Tom (Lu Ann) Bline; niece, Leslie Bline (Mark Downs); nephew, Mark (Brittany) Bline; many cousins; and his faithful rescue cats, Char, Hemey and Sissy.
Calling hours for Rick will be held from 2-5 p.m. on Sunday, March 21, at McPeek-Hoekstra Funeral Home, 133 South Prospect St. in Granville. There will be a graveside service following at 5:30 p.m. in Welsh Hills Cemetery, 1548 Welsh Hills Road NE in Granville, with Capt. Christine Moretz of the Knox County Salvation Army officiating.
The family prefers that expressions of sympathy in the form of memorial contributions be directed to the Knox County Salvation Army, 206 East Ohio Ave., Mount Vernon, OH 43050.
