Ralph Stevens

Bro. Ralph Stevens, 84, of Mansfield, went home peacefully to be with his Lord early Thursday morning, January 8, 2009. Born January 19, 1924, in Carter County, Kentucky, he was the son of the late David Lewis Stevens and Mary Ethel Blevins Stevens. Ralph retired from Empire Detroit Steel where he worked as a crane operator. He attended Free Will Baptist and Church of God churches throughout his life. Ralph served the Lord for 55 years, faithfully attending church, reading his Bible and raising his family accordingly. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army.

He is survived by his loving wife of 61 years, Mary Jane Jewett Stevens; four children, Barbara Ronald Boggs, Sandra Chuck Leadingham, Linda Perry and Michael Joyce Stevens, all of Mansfield; nine grandchildren, Larry "Junior" Conni Evans, Marsha Terry Madden, Brenda Beomsoo Kim, Michael "Chris" Stevens, Kevin Cindy Boggs, Becky Hoffman, Nicholas "Nick" Stevens, Candace "Candy" Josh Jones and Josh Amanda Perry; fifteen great-grandchildren, Christian, Canaan, Jonathan, Noel, Dylan, Matthew, C.J., Danielle, Jaxson, Mandy, Jacob, Emma, Andrew, Ryan and Emily; four brothers, Ercil Joy Stevens, William Stevens, all of Mansfield, Carmel Louise Stevens, Gene Naomi Stevens, all of Olive Hill, KY; two sisters, Katheleen Tipton of Versailles, KY, Beatrice McCloud of Grahn, KY; and many loving nieces, nephews, family and friends. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a sister, Cleo Carroll and brother, Junior Ray Stevens.

Friends may call from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m., Sunday, January 11, 2009, at the Ontario Home of Wappner Funeral Directors, 100 S. Lexington-Springmill Rd., Mansfield. Funeral services will be held Monday at 10:30 a.m. in the funeral home with Rev. Clifford Earl Tackett and Rev. Floyd Scaggs officiating. Burial will follow in Mansfield Memorial Park with military honors by the Richland County Joint Veterans Burial Detail. Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer's Association.