RICKI LYN MARTINDALE, age 73 of Washington CH, went to be with his Lord on Thursday, October 1, 2026 at 1:39 a.m. while surrounded by his wife of 55 years and loving family. He passed peacefully at Adena Regional Medical Center in Chillicothe after a short fight with infection following health issues in the recent year.
He was born January 12, 1953 in Washington CH to the late Clyde and Betty (Jane) Martindale. He was a 1972 graduate of Washington High School. Rick was a champion of hard work and great relationships. From his first job helping with standardbred racehorses for Ray French to his work at Columbus Metal Forge Company for ten years and his service to the Washington City Schools where he retired as a bus driver after thirty years to his time at DHL serving as a sergeant in their security, he was always under the yoke with Jesus working for others. It is through these many loves he made connections and fostered friendships that have endured an entire lifetime.
Following a passion for harness horse racing with his father since he was 5-years-old (earning his license to race at county fairs at age, 12), he has served in many positions for years in multiple harness horsemen groups including as a Director for the Ohio Harness Horsemen's Association (OHHA), as a treasurer for the Fayette County Harness Horsemen's Association (FCHHA), as a member and helper for the Christian Harness Horsemen's Association and was a longtime member of the United States Trotting Association (USTA). During his life, he owned many horses under the Martindale Stables with his father as well as his business partner of twenty-five years and friend, former State Representative Terry Blair — holding the name Du lac high many weeks at harness horse raceways around Ohio. He also served his fellow man as a Union Representative at Metal Forge for which he was incredibly proud and as a faithful member of Anchor Baptist Church where he was a trustee and deeply loved.
Rick genuinely cared. Whether you were close or apart, he thought of all of his family and friends constantly and could easily be pulled into conversations. He talked of the past — thinking of old friends fondly and remembering how he saw the world. He talked of the future — informing many on issues impacting the world and discussing what his children and grandchildren were working towards. He loved spending time with his family, especially at hog roasts, watching races and news, working on mountains of paperwork, traveling to visit friends and family and he enjoyed delicious food mostly made from love by his wife. Most of all, he was proud of the people he knew and would make sure to check on them at every chance he had.
Rick is survived by his wife of 55 years, Donas Marlene (Bruce) Martindale who stayed by his side through his last breath, making sure he knew how loved he was. They were married on Nov. 6, 1971 and he is survived by his two children, Clarissa (Martindale) Hess and Ricki "J.R." Martindale; brother Randy and his wife Sheri Martindale; sisters-in-law Willadean Free and Stellajean Aills; brother-in-law Ed and his wife Terry Bruce; grandchildren Ira and his wife Kennedy Graham, Martin Graham and his partner Jasmine Herd, Alycea Graham, Jerry Hunt and his partner Christyn Clifton, Brittany Martindale, Sarah Tackett, Amber Peters and Haylee Peters; grandchildren Ariel, Despon, Jerzi and Athena; special friends Charlie and Penny Pine, Glen and Kristen Conn, Stacy Peters, and by a large host of family and friends from many aspects of his life that are much too numerous to mention here.
He was preceded in death by his in-laws Ed and Betsy (Short) Bruce as well as her second husband Harold Speelman, sons-in-law, Christopher Graham and Kenneth Hess, daughter-in-law, Karen Martindale, and great-granddaughter, Isabella Graham.
The family wants to extend a heartfelt thanks to the many people who continued to keep Rick in your prayers and those who visited him while he was in the hospital.
The funeral service will be he held on Friday, October 9, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. at the Anchor Baptist Church, 456 Jamison Rd. SW, Washington CH, OH 43160, with Pastor Mike Pinson officiating with burial to follow at the Washington Cemetery. Family and friends may visit at the church on Thursday from 3-7:00 p.m.
Arrangements have been entrusted to the Summers Funeral Home. Online condolences may be sent to www.summersfuneralhome.com
Full service details and the family guest book are available at Summers Funeral Home.