Ralph E. Schmelzer

RICHWOOD — The Rev. Ralph E. Schmelzer, 83, Richwood, died Friday, 1996 at Memorial Hospital, Marysville.
Born Nov. 1, 1912, he was the son of the late Homer and Virginia (Howison) Schmclzer.
On Nov. 24, 1943, in Nantwich, England, he married Edith M. Hill and she survives.
He was a World War II veteran, having served in the U. S. Army. He was a retired machinist with the Marion Power Shovel, Eaton Corp. and the Huber Corp.
He was also a retired Methodist minister, member of the Central United Methodist Church, a life member of the VFW Post 870, American Legion Baccarat Post 40, the Disabled American Veterans. He was also a weekly columnist for the Richwood Gazette and had articles published in various magazines.
He is also survived by three sons, Michael R. and Thomas E. Schmelzer, both Richwood, Ralph E. Schmelzer Jr., Columbus; four daughters, Mrs. Stephen (Margaret) Asher, Marion; Mrs. Mike (Roberta E.) Drumm, Mrs. Ralph (Sue A.) Huffman and Mrs. Michael (Joann) Tosco, all Richwood; a brother, Robert Schmelzer, Richwood; 12 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by a daughter, Helen Schmclzer and two brothers, Donald and Edsel Schmelzer.
The funeral is 11 a.m. Tuesday at the Stofcheck Funeral Home. Burial  will   be   in   Claibourne
Cemetery where military graveside services will be conducted by the American Legion and VFW posts, The Rev. Charles Fye officiating. Friends may call 5-8 p.m. Monday at the funeral home.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Richwood VFW Post 870 or the Central United Methodist Church.

Stofcheck-Ballinger Funeral Home