Richard Leo Germond, age 90, of Adrian, died Wednesday, April 30, 2025, at Hospice of Lenawee Residence. He was born March 21, 1935, in Adrian to Louis F. and Vera E. (Cottrell) Germond. In 1957, while attending MSU, he married his high school sweetheart, Carol Sue Fischer and together they have raised five wonderful daughters. Richard dedicated himself to his family, his community and his profession for many years. Dick attributes much of his success to a very supportive wife, a loving family and a professional staff.
He began his career in law enforcement in 1956, a few days past his 21st birthday, performing dispatching, road patrol, criminal investigation and forensic photography at the Lenawee County Sheriffs’ Office, working on weekends even while attending college. He graduated from Michigan State University in 1958 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Police Administration and Criminal Justice. In 1964, after serving as a Deputy Sheriff for 8 years, he was appointed to fill an unexpired term and was elected to his own term as Sheriff of Lenawee County the same year at the age of 29. Although his entire administration was very successful, Sheriff Germond was most proud of establishing a state-of-the-art 9-1-1 and Central Dispatch system in the mid 80’s which served 10 law enforcement agencies, 18 fire departments, EMS services, as well as the Mounted Division. Today that system continues to serve the same services and approximately 100,000 citizens. He also administered a 156-bed jail that housed minimum, medium and maximum-security inmates. When he retired in 2001 Sheriff Germond had served Lenawee County citizens for a total of 44 years, 36 years as Sheriff, which is the longest serving Sheriff in Lenawee County history as well as in the State of Michigan. During his tenure he served as President of both the Michigan Sheriffs’ Association and the National Sheriffs’ Association, being a life member of both Associations. He still serves on the Board of Directors of the National Assn in Alexandria, VA. He recently served the National Sheriffs’ Assn Insurance Division as a Law Enforcement Risk Management Consultant, retiring in 2015. He was also a Life Member of the International Association of Chiefs of Police; a life member of the Lenawee County Fire Chiefs Assn: a past member of the Governors Crime Commission.; a past Commissioner for the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies; and a member of the Michigan State University Alumni Assn.
Germond was active in the community, a 56-year member of the Adrian Kiwanis Club where he was a Past President and Past Lieutenant Governor of the Michigan District; recently completed 30 years of service on the ProMedica Bixby and Herrick Hospitals Board: was a Salvation Army Board member and a Trustee and Chairman of the Lenawee Intermediate School District Board, he was also employed as a Funeral Directors Assistant for the Anderson-Marry Funeral Homes. He was active in St. Josephs Catholic Church, having served as an usher for over 51 years and sang in the Church Choir with his wife Carol. He has received numerous honors and awards including the prestigious Lenawee County Chamber of Commerce Maple Leaf Award, and continued to be active in volunteer and fund-raising activities until his death.
In addition to his wife Carol, Richard is survived by five daughters, Janee’ S. ( Marvin) Cox of Adrian, Cherie A. (Stephen) Cole of Adrian, Lynne P. (John) Blocksom of Adrian, Paula J. ( Rodger) Marks of Adrian, and Lori M.(Christopher) Hill of Adrian; a brother-in-law, Leo Drake of Adrian; five grandsons, Dr. Ryan Perry, Chad Perry, Jared Cole, Kyle Hill , Joel Hill, and five grand-daughters, Deidre Wilcox, Andrea Palmer, Courtney Weyenberg, Erin Marks, and Madison VanLandeghem; and seven great grandsons, and six great-grand-daughters, and two more great granddaughters on the way. He was preceded in death by his parents; a son, Michael R. Germond; a brother, Jack Germond, and a sister, Mardell Drake.
Visitation will be held on Sunday, May 4, 2025, from 2:00 – 7:00 PM, with a Prayer Vigil at 7:00, and again on Monday, May 5, 2025, from 2:00 – 7:00 PM, with a Rosary Service at 7:00 PM, both at the Anderson-Marry Funeral Home, Adrian. Visitation will also be held one hour prior to the funeral liturgy at Holy Family Parish – St. Joseph Campus. The funeral liturgy will be offered on Tuesday, May 6, 2025, at 10:30 AM, at Holy Family Parish – St. Joseph Campus, with Fr. Michael Newman as Celebrant. Cremation will follow the service and burial of cremains will be in St. Joseph Cemetery.
Condolences may be sent to the family at www.andersonfuneralservices.com Memorial contributions may be made to Holy Family Parish – St. Joseph Catholic Church, ProMedica Hickman Hospital, Hospice of Lenawee or the Lenawee Humane Society. Envelopes are available at the Anderson-Marry Funeral Home, Adrian.