Ralph Boroff

Ralph Boroff, 94, passed away October 8, 2014 in Fort Smith. He was born October 8, 1920 on a farm in Tiffin, OH, to John and Ruth (Gahris) Boroff. Ralph was a graduate of Melmore, OH High School and received his B.S. Degree in Industrial Arts from Bowling Green State University. He received many medals in high school and college while participating in Track and Field and Cross Country. Ralph married Barbara E. Yoder of Tiffin, OH, on June 22, 1944, and they spent 68 years together prior to her death in 2012. He earned his Master’s Degree in Industrial Arts from Stout State College in Menominee, WI and began a 35 year career of teaching industrial arts and coaching basketball and track at the middle school and high school level.

After retirement, Ralph and Betty had the log house of their dreams built in Cherokee Village, AR where they resided for 28 years and Ralph was a Elementary School substitute teacher in Highland, AR. They shared many happy times with family and friends.

Ralph was a member of Kiwanis for twenty-five years and he served as Lt. Governor. He was a member of Gideon International and his hobbies included; fishing, camping, traveling, honey bee farming, gardening, golf, chair caning, and basket weaving.

Ralph was raised in a Methodist family and he served as Sunday School Superintendent for many years. He was a member of Cherokee Village United Methodist Church.

He was the next to the youngest of five children and his three older siblings left this earth, to join their Heavenly Father. Ralph was predeceased by; his parents; his wife, Barbara; his sister, Edna Boroff of Tiffin, OH; and his two brothers; John W. Boroff Jr. of Tiffin, OH and Robert Boroff of Mansfield, OH.

He is survived by four daughters; Jeanne Van Buskirk and her husband Dana, of Fostoria, OH, Sharon Maidment and her husband Dan of Temecula, CA, Barbara Lynch and her husband Danny of Fort Smith, and Janell Mendenhall of Fort Smith; one son, Jerry Boroff and his wife Peggy, of Marysville, OH; one sister, Mildred Good of Mt. Sterling, OH; eleven grandchildren and seventeen great-grandchildren.

A Memorial Service will be held at a later date. Cremation is under the direction of Edwards Funeral Home.

Memorials may be sent to: First Christian Church, 3501 Rogers Avenue, Fort Smith, AR 72903 or to Melmore United Methodist Church, 6817 South State Rt 67, Melmore, OH 44845.

Online condolences may be sent to: www.edwardsfuneralhome.com