Don Ralph

View Video Tribute Mr. Don E. Ralph, age 91, of rural Sheridan, passed away late Sunday evening, Aug. 13, 2006 at Metron of Greenville. The son of Joe & Alice (Stewart) Ralph, he was born on March 3, 1915 in Belding. On Dec. 31, 1936 he married the former Beatrice Anna Lund. During World War II, Don was employed at Willow Run where he tested flight instruments as part of the war effort. Following the war, he returned to the area and began working at the former Gibson Refrigerator Company, retiring in 1979 from the engineering laboratory. A devoted husband, father, grandpa, and brother, he enjoyed traveling with his wife. Together, they visited most of the western United States and Hawaii, and delighted in spending their summers at Wild Goose Lake in Canada. An avid hunter and fisherman, he had been a member of the Michigan Bowhunters Association, was a HAM radio operator (WB8DXV), and was a long time member and Past Master of the Star Masonic Lodge No. 250 in Stanton. For many years, Don was active as a troop leader with the Boy Scouts of America, even having attended the National Scout Jamboree. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife of 66 years, Beatrice A. Ralph on Feb. 22, 2003; three brothers-in-law, Claud Lund, Earl Lund, and Raymond Adams; two sisters-in-law, Mildred Ralph, and Viola Lund; and a son-in-law, Robert Jewell, Jr. Surviving are a daughter, Carole Jewell, and Charles Anderson, of Greenville; two sons, Stuart & Joanne Ralph of Meza, Arizona, and Richard & Beverley Ralph of McHenry, Illinois; a brother, Karl & Elizabeth Ralph of Sheridan; his grandchildren, Roger & Donnell Ralph of Sheridan, Rhonda & Dean Hansen of Stanton, Chad & Deb Cook of Stanton, Patricia & Glenn Martin of Greenville, Trina & Steve Speiser of Stanton, Holly Jeffery and Phil Kava of Stanton, Tami & Dave Schierman, and Wendi Ralph, all of Washington, John Metz of Florida, Jim Metz of Milwaukee, Wisc., Brian Emmons of Stanton, Tracy Fisk of Arizona, Jonna Lubbers of Hudsonville, and Dean Emmons of Stanton; 18 great grandchildren; nine great-great grandchildren, with the tenth on the way; siblings-in-law, Anna Adams of Stanton, Doris Lund, Donald & Elaine Lund, and Lee & Betty Lund, all of Sheridan; family friend and caregiver, Maxine Jannings of Sheridan; and several nieces and nephews. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Don Ralph, please visit our flower store.