Richard Devern Mayer, Sr., 81, of Rutherfordton, North Carolina, went to sleep in Jesus on January 10, 2012, at his son's assisted living home in Dayton, Maryland.
Richard was born in Denver, Colorado, to Michael John and Katherine Peshka Mayer. He grew up in Philadelphia, where he graduated from Philadelphia Academy. He was also a graduate of Washington Missionary College (now Washington Adventist University) in Tacoma Park, MD. Richard was former owner/manager of Golden Flake Bakery in Philadelphia; and owner/administrator or Laurel Nursing Center in Hamburg.
Richard was an active member of the Seventh-day Adventist church and served as President of a seven-state chapter of the layman's organization, Adventist Services and Industries (ASI), for a number of years. He was a founder and board member of Hartland Institute, a missionary college and health center in Rapidan, Virginia.
Richard is survived by his wife, Jan; a sister, Marie Mayer Bouse of California; four children, Hal Mayer of Virginia; Richard Mayer, Jr., of Pennsylvania; Laura Mayer Wright of North Carolina; and Tim Mayer of Maryland; and seven grandchildren. He was predeceased by his first wife, Laurena Rafferty Mayer; and a brother, Harold Mayer.
A Memorial Service will be held on Sunday, January 29 at 2:30 pm from the Hamburg Community Seventh-day Adventist Church, 22 Willow Road, Hamburg. Burial will be private in St. Michael's Cemetery, Tilden Twp. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to Last Generation Magazine, P.O. Box 1, Rapidan, VA 22733. Leibensperger Funeral Homes, Inc., Hamburg is in charge of arrangements. For online condolences, please visit, www.leibenspergerfuneralhomes.com.