Born in a small town in South Africa to his missionary parents, Wilfred Summers Richards lived a full life in devotion to his faith and his family. On October 4, 2022, he passed away in his sleep with his family gathered nearby.

The youngest of 7 kids, Wilfred grew up in missions work and would spend the majority of his youth in South Africa. At age 18, he came back to the States and soon began his theological education at Central Bible College in Springfield, MO. One day while riding his bike on campus, he nearly ran over a young lady from New Jersey. The two of them were together for the next 62 years.

He and his lovely bride Diane settled with her family in Morris County, NJ, where Wilfred worked as an assistant pastor in a small church in Butler. After a few years, he was chosen as the new pastor of Lakehurst, NJ Assembly of God. He would preach and tend to his congregation there for 12 years, all while working full time as a maintenance worker to support his growing family. He moved on to pastor churches in Selbyville DE and Strasburg PA. From Strasburg, he retired from the ministry and settled in the Lancaster area.

Wilfred never climbed Mt Everest nor swam the English Channel. Instead, he faithfully provided for his family and his flock. Without fail, in health and in sickness, Wilfred displayed the quiet strength and love to be there for the people around him. A wonderful husband, father and friend, Wilfred was loved by all and will be sorely missed.

He is survived by his loving wife Diane, their children, David Richards, husband of Bobbi of Cape Cod, MA, Michael Richards, companion of Betsy Bitay, of Lancaster, and Suzanne K. Coleman (née Richards) wife of Denise Coleman of Chicago; grandchildren, Lisa, David, Michael, Andre, Myah, James, Kyle, Adam, and Jennifer; great-grandchildren, Ivan, Alex, Cayden, Lillian, Adrien; siblings, Eunice (née Richards) Sinclair, wife of the late Phil Sinclair of Oregon, and a sister-in-law, Olga Richards of Newfoundland. He was preceded in passing by her siblings, Jonathan Richards, Gordon Richards, Lois Hans and her spouse, Bob, Kenneth Richards, and Anna Richards, as well as a sister-in-law, Ethlyn Richards.

A Funeral Service will be held at 11 AM on Monday, October 10, 2022, at the New Life Church, 1991 Old Philadelphia Pike, Lancaster, PA 17602. Guests are welcome to a viewing at the church from 9:30 AM until the time of the service.