GENEVA -- Richard M. Eller, age 74, of Mechanicsville, Virginia, formerly of Geneva, Ohio, died Wednesday, February 15, 2006, at Bon Secours Regional Memorial Hospital in Mechanicsville, Virginia.

Born February 12, 1932, in Geneva, he was a son of the late Clarence and Ruth (Doing) Eller. A 1950 graduate of Geneva High School, he was a member of the basketball team that went to the State Tournament. He received his BA from Kenyon College and Master of Arts in teaching from Wesleyan University in Middletown, Connecticut, and a CAS from Boston College.

A Veteran of the U. S. Navy, he married Pat Brosky on September 11, 1953, in Geneva.

Mr. Eller was an English Professor of American Literature and Composition at Manchester Connecticut Community College. He was active in the Civil Rights movement and active with the Democratic party.

Survivors include his wife of 52 years, Pat Eller; three sons, Mark (Catherine) Eller of Herndon, Virginia, Todd (Amanda) Eller of Andover, Connecticut, and Patrick Eller of Mechanicsville, Virginia; six grandchildren, Rachel, Caitlyn, twins: Morgan and Miles, Nathan, and Hannah; brother, Eugene (June) Eller of Geneva; and two sisters, Judy Ann (Brian) Herring of Tampa, Florida, and Judy (Wes) Hawes of Geneva.

He was preceded in death by his parents; step mother, Pearl Speece Eller; brother, Ray A. Eller; and a sister, Martha Hoover.

Funeral Service will be held 10 a.m. on Wednesday, February 22, 2006, at THE BEHM FAMILY FUNERAL HOME & CREMATORY, 175 South Broadway, Geneva, Ohio, with Reverend Larry Wade, of Park Street Christian Church in Geneva, officiating. Burial will be at Evergreen Cemetery in Geneva.

Visitation will be from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. on Tuesday, February 21, 2006, at THE BEHM FAMILY FUNERAL HOME & CREMATORY in Geneva.

Contributions may be made to the charity of one’s choice.