Ralph Dilgard

Ralph Jerome Dilgard, 94, of Lucas, died Saturday, March 21, 2009, at Triumph Hospital. He was born April 30, 1914, in Jeromesville, Ohio, to Peter and Cora Moulter Dilgard. At an early age, he moved to Mohicanville where he attended school at a one room schoolhouse. In the winter he would arrive early to warm up the schoolhouse before the other students arrived. Each day he would clean the schoolroom and prepare it for the next day, before he went home. He served three years in the Army Air Corps during World War II. Later, in 1956, he became one of Jehovah's Witnesses. Although he had worked for Union Malleable in Ashland prior to World War II, after returning from the war, he soon went to work for the Mansfield Coca Cola Bottling Company, retiring from there in 1981.

He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Luella Dilgard; two daughters, Beverly Howard, married to Jimmy Howard and Louise Albert, married to Danny Albert; six grandchildren, Cindy Fulk, married to Richard Fulk, Todd Mitchell, Barbra Seiving, married to David Seiving, John Pence, JR Mitchell, married to Kate Mitchell, Jimmy Howard, married to CJ Howard; thirteen great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his two sisters, Flora Schoenian and Esther Nell; four brothers, John, Clarence, Tom and Glen Dilgard; stepson, Roger Pence; and his infant daughter.

A memorial service will be held Sunday, March 29, 2009, at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses, 1650 S. Main St., Mansfield, Ohio at 5 p.m., conducted by Richard Akam. Flowers may be delivered to 1317 Wigton Road, Lucas, Ohio 44843. Burial will be in Mansfield Memorial Park at a later date.