Ralph enjoyed life, and sharing time with friends and family. He loved conversation, and usually had a funny story to tell. He especially enjoyed meeting new people and hearing about their lives. Ralph worked hard in his younger years, with a dream to retire by the time he turned 50. He achieved that goal and spent much of the past 40 years wintering in Florida, with his wife, “Little Mo”. People will remember him from running the Mohican State Park Commissary for 16 years. He also sold cars part-time at Woody Wilson Auto Sales.
Ralph loved “show business” and spent much of his retirement volunteering backstage at the Renaissance Theater. Due to his expertise with theater curtains, backdrops and overhead props, Ralph picked up the nickname “Rail Master”. He volunteered for the Miss Ohio Program year after year, and was awarded a lifetime achievement award from the organization. A lover of big bands, he continued to spend time listening to all the great musicians and crooners, such as Glenn Miller and Frank Sinatra. In all stages of life Ralph connected to social groups, from his Park Avenue Baptist Church Sunday School class, many Mohican State Park Commissary friends, to the Florida All Stars, and class reunion groups.
Ralph’s favorite bit of advice to others recently was, “Don’t get old!”
Ralph is survived by his son, Bruce (Kim) Minich; daughters, Susan (Rusty) Cates and Pamela (Jenny) Minich; five grandchildren, Jessica (Matt) Fosnaugh, Carli (Nate) Reiter, Kelly (Steve) Knowlton, Natalie (Kevin) Dunckel and Benjamin (Ainsley) Cates; six great-grandchildren, Olive, Georgia, Miles, Winifred, Bailey and Cameron; and many nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 52 years, Mona “Mo” I. Minich; and brothers, Robert Minich and Paul D. Minich.
The family will receive friends from 5:00 – 8:00 p.m. on Monday, April 24, 2023 at Wappner Funeral Directors – Ontario, 100 S. Lexington-Springmill Rd., Ontario, Ohio 44906. A service will be held at the funeral home on Tuesday, April 25, 2023 beginning at 1:00 p.m. led by son-in-law, Rusty Cates. Ralph will be laid to rest in Mansfield Cemetery.
Words of condolence may be expressed at www.wappner.com
