Ralph E. Nixon

Ralph Edwin Nixon, 91, formerly of Connersville, Indiana, passed away December 18, 2019 in Clearwater Florida. He was born in Washington Township, Rush County, Indiana on July 31, 1928, at the family farm home; son of Luther D. and Myla Gordon Nixon. Ralph and Betty McCoy Johnson were married July 3, 1965: Betty preceded him in death June 1996. Ralph was a member of the Plum Creek Christian Church, He was also a Past Exalted Ruler of the Elks Lodge, Connersville, with a “lifetime” membership, and a, member of the Mason Lodge. Ralph also enjoyed being a member of a a ”barbershop quartet”, entertaining at a variety of occasions, including Veteran’s Hospitals, “solo” at churches, weddings, and chapel service at Ft. Benjamin Harrison, Indianapolis, IN. In September 1950, Ralph began employment as Production Control Clerk, with Porcelain Steel Corporation (Connersville), which became H.H. Robertson. He remained with this company as Transportation Manager, until the plant closed in 1987. He then worked with them in Pittsburgh, PA an in Sheridan, Ark, until he retired in 1990 after forty years of service. In February 2000 Ralph received the prestigious Recognition of Service Excellence (ROSE) award by the Indianapolis Convention and Visitors Association (ICVA) for his work in enhancing the city’s reputation for hospitality. Ralph was one of eight selected from seventy-nine nominees in the service industry in Indianapolis to receive this award which was presented by the Major Bart Peterson. He is survived by a daughter Brenda Johnson Meloche and her husband, Brad, of Clearwater, Florida, granddaughters Lindsay Perry and her companion, Joe Wells of Indianapolis, Indiana and Kelsey Perry Johnson and her husband, Dusty with great-granddaughter Charlette Jackson and great-grandson Dustin Scott Johnson II, of Bloomington, Indiana. Also, a brother Howard Nixon of Indianapolis, sister Velma James and husband Bob of Ft. Worth Texas; and, numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents Luther and Myla Nixon, brother James Nixon, sisters Ellen Meyer of Cincinnati, and, Edna Lower of Rushville. Funeral services will be conducted at 1 p.m. Saturday, December 28, 2019, at Showalter Blackwell Long Funeral Home, Myers Chapel, Connersville. Interment will follow in Zion Cemetery. Friends may visit at the funeral home from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday, December 27, 2019, where memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association.