Richard Gerard Sharbaugh, 76, of Indiana, passed peacefully on Friday, April 4, 2025. Richard was born on January 11, 1949, in Johnstown to the late Richard and Mary (Ertter) Sharbaugh.
Dick was raised in Carrolltown and graduated from Bishop Carroll High School in 1967 and received a congressional nomination to The United States Merchant Marines Academy (USMMA). Upon graduation from USMMA Dick received a Bachelor Degree in Marine Engineering, a Third Assistant Engineers License, unlimited horsepower, and a commission in the United States Navy Reserve. Dick advanced his commission to a lieutenant in the USNR before retiring from the service. He began his career at the Norfolk Naval Shipyard in Virginia as a catapult Engineer for US Navy aircraft carriers. He relocated back to PA and became manager of Engineering for Edison Mission Energy (Penelec) at Homer City Power Plant, retiring in 2007.
Dick loved sailing at Prince Gallitzin State Park and spending time at his cabin in Carrolltown with family and friends. Maintaining the cabin required hard work, but Sunday was for relaxing and enjoying “our little piece of heaven on earth.” He loved dogs, all shapes and sizes, and some even tried to drive his truck when he stepped out for coffee.
A devoted husband and father, Dick leaves behind his wife of 51 years, Janet Marie (Potonic) Sharbaugh, his sons Rich (Jessica M.), Jason (Julie), Chris (Jessica P.), and Eric (Abby) Sharbaugh, grandchildren Kendra, Matthew Bass, Richie, Kate, Jason Jr., Ben, Jackson, Emmett, Charleston, Luke, and Michael Sharbaugh, sister Carol (Ronald) Charney, brother Jack (Donna) Sharbaugh, sister Mamie Sharbaugh, sisters-in-law Lucille “Lou” Marcuzzo and Joyce Leahy, step-brother Dan (Dian) Lees, as well as numerous nieces, nephews, and Godchildren.
Besides his parents, Dick is preceded in death by his brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law Ron and Sandy Potonic, and Bill and Mary Kay Stock.
Dick attended St. Bernard Church for 40 years and was a member of the Knights of Columbus. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 AM on Tuesday April 15, 2025, in St. Bernard of Clairvaux Catholic Church, Indiana. Burial will be in St. Benedict Church Cemetery, Carrolltown.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in honor of Dick to the St. Bernard Catholic School, Tunnel to Towers (t2t.org), or to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
To send an online condolence to the family, please visit www.bowserminich.com.
