Richard St. John, two-term Richmond Hts. mayor

Richard St. John won a write-in race to become mayor of Richmond Heights.

St. John died Sunday at Richmond Heights Hospital at age 85.

The Cleveland native lived in the same house in Richmond Heights for 56 years. He worked as a planner and accountant for Hanna Mining and a related company.

The previous mayor, H. Donald Zimmerman, seemed to be heading toward a fifth two-year term when citizens learned that he'd done legal work for a local developer. They recruited St. John. Newspapers endorsed him. He became mayor in 1969 by 400 votes.

St. John closed the mayor's court and sent local cases to the new Lyndhurst Municipal Court. He also started emergency medical services and stopped the spread of apartment complexes.

After two terms, he declined to run again.

Survivors include his wife and four children.

His funeral will be at 2 p.m. today at Faith United Church of Christ. Fioritto Funeral Service is handling his arrangements.

Allan Ray Putnam, led

ASM International

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