Former Miamisburg Mayor Dick Church dies at 81

DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) — The previous mayor of Miamisburg, Dick Church, Jr., has died at the age of 81.

According to the City of Miamisburg, Church, Jr. died on Thursday, Dec. 8 after a brief illness.

Church was the mayor of Miamisburg for 28 years, making him the longest-serving mayor in the City of Miamisburg. Dick Church, Jr. retired from his position as mayor at the end of 2019.

The latest position the former mayor held was the part-time administrator for the Mound Development Corporation, which oversees the Mound Laboratory redevelopment.

Some area lawmakers have responded and have sent their condolences to Church and his family. You can read some of the comments below.

Devastated to learn of the passing of my dear friend Dick Church Jr. Mayor Church was a dedicated public servant who was instrumental in the success of the Mound site redevelopment and the transformation of the city of Miamisburg. He will be greatly missed by myself and the entire community. My prayers are with Judi and the entire family.

Congressman Mike Turner

Mayor Dick Church, Jr. was an institution. The longest serving Mayor in Miamisburg history & the 15th longest serving Mayor in American history, he was a mentor, role model, colleague, and most of all, friend. Mayor Church swore me in to the 3rd grade student government. I shadowed him for sophomore year of high school career day. When I first ran, the Democrats tried to recruit him to run against me; he declined, and cited our friendship for the reason. Mayor Church fundamentally changed the face of Miamisburg- for the better. His indelible impact on my life has redoubled over & over again on all citizens of Miamisburg. I will miss him greatly. Rest in Power, Mayor Church.

Ohio District 6 Senator, Niraj Antani

Services for Church are pending at this time, a release says.