Richard E. Cone

Richard E. Cone, 88, of New Concord, passed away Thursday (April 8, 2010) at The Beckett House in New Concord.

He was born Oct. 28, 1921, in Athens. He was graduate of Athens High School and attended Cleveland Art School. He was a member of First Presbyterian Church, Cambridge.

Mr. Cone enlisted in the Army Air Corps May 20, 1942, and was commissioned Feb. 6, 1943, at Luke Field, Phoenix, Ariz. He was transferred to the 9th Air Force, North Africa. He flew with the 99th Fighter Squadron on their first mission over Pantelleria and was downed by enemy gunfire on July 8, 1943, escorting light bombers near Sciacca, Sicily, and was taken prisoner. On July 20, he was rescued by U.S. troops and returned to a hospital in the United States. He was discharged Jan. 22, 1947, and was decorated with African Middle Eastern Service Medal, World War II Victory Medal, American Campaign Medal and Order of the Purple Heart.

Richard was a member of the Paramuthia Lodge 255 Athens F&AM, Royal Arch Masons of Ohio 39 Athens, Royal & Select Masons of Ohio 15 Athens, Knights Templar 015 Athens, Scottish Rite Valley of Cambridge, Aladdin Shrine, Columbus; Kambri Shrine Club, Cambridge; Ninth Air Force Association, VFW, American Legion, DAV.

Mr. Cone was preceded in death by his parents, Harvey Cone and Ethel Pickering Cone; and a sister, Annabelle Baker.

He leaves his wife, Mary Draper Cone, whom he married Feb. 9, 1962; a daughter, Barbara Suzanne Murrer of Lancaster, Calif.; stepdaughter Mary Jo (Joe Lambe) Draper of Kansas City, Mo.; a son, Richard E. (Linda) Cone II of Athens; a stepson, Joel C. Draper of Zanesville; five grandchildren, Traves (Anita) Cone of Dayton; Josh (Stephanie) Cone of New Albany; Piper (Major Frank) Scolaro of Germany; Scott West of Tehachapi, Calif.; Adam West of Eugene, Ore.; and 11 great-grandchildren.

Funeral services were April 12 at the Bundy-Law Funeral Home, Cambridge, with the Rev. Eldon Trubee officiating.

Burial w as in Northwood Cemetery with military graveside services conducted by the Guernsey County Veterans Council.

Memorial Contributions may be made to Guernsey County Cancer Society, 927 E. Wheeling Ave., Suite 205, Cambridge, OH 43725, or to the First Presbyterian Church, 725 Steubenville, Ave. Cambridge, OH 43725.

Online condolences may be sent to www.bundy-lawfuneralhome.com.