Ralph L. Keefe

Interment with Military Rites: St. Richard's Cemetery

Ralph L. Keefe, age 87. of Sylvania, Ohio, passed away peacefully in his home on Friday, October 23, 2015. He was born on July 25, 1928 to Daniel and Frances (Lajiness) Keefe. He was employed by Libbey Owens Ford for five years and retired from The Dana Corporation after twenty six and a half years.

Ralph was a proud veteran of the U.S. Navy, serving on the U.S.S. Radford from 1947-1951. He was a member of the U.S.S. Radford Association for many years, and enjoyed attending their reunions with his wife, Dorothy. His shipmates could always depend on him to share numerous stories from years gone by. One might say that Ralph was never at a loss for words.

He was a longtime member of the Erie Shores Region of the Nash Car Club. He also held membership in the Dana Quarter Century Club. Ralph enjoyed collecting and working on antique cars and trucks. He completely restored a 1928 Nash car of which he was very proud. He also owned a 1920 Nash grain truck and a 1956 Chevy pickup. He was never happier than when he visited swap meets, house sales, auctions and flea markets to wheel and deal for merchandise of all kinds.

Ralph was a former member of Little Flower Church where he served as an usher for many years. He presently was a member of St. Richard Church in Swanton, Ohio.

He is survived by his loving wife of 34 years, Dorothy (Dickerson) Keefe. Ralph was proud of his children and their spouses: Ralph (Linda) Keefe, Madeline (Wayne) Doble, Roberta (Dennis) Sharples, Dr. Christine (Terry) Smallman, Sally (Dan) Kovar, Frances (Richard) Spencer and Nancy (Ed) Bump. Ralph had 20 grandchildren who dearly loved to give their "Poppy" lots of hugs and attention whenever they saw him: Ralph and Robert Keefe; Stephanie (Robbie) Giglio and Tony (Amber) Doble; Kelly (Brad) Parkhurst, Ben Sharples (Carys Fitzgerald, fiancee') and Christina Hilton (Casey Sharples, fiancee'); Carolyn Smallman-Seaver, Terry (Mindy) Smallman and Shelly (Kim) Nielsen; Nicole (Andy) Charnoubi, Daniel (Megan) Kovar, Rebecca (Daniel) Graham and Amy Spradlin; Shawn Keefe, Elizabeth (William) Bowers, 2nd Class Petty Officer Richard (Lindsay) Spencer and Nathan Spencer; and Ed and Olivia Bump. Ralph was the proud Poppy to 32 great-grandchildren with two more just waiting in the wings. He is also survived by his brother Martin.

Ralph was preceded in death by his wife of 27 years (Beatrice Logan); grandson, Casey Sharples; and siblings, Daniel, Robert, James, Charles, Rosemary and Frances.

Family and friends may visit Monday, October 26th from 2:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Weigel Funeral Home, 204 Chestnut St. in Swanton (419.826.2631), where a Vigil service will be held at 7:00 p.m. Prayers will begin in the funeral home on Tuesday, October 27th at 9:30 a.m., followed by a Mass of Resurrection at 10:00 a.m. at St. Richard Catholic Church with Fr. Robert Holden presiding and Deacon Jerry Ziemkiewicz assisting. Interment, with Military Rites, will follow at St. Richard’s Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Northwest Ohio.

Residence: Sylvania, Ohio

Visitation: Monday, October 26th from 2 to 8 pm at the Weigel Funeral Home in Swanton

Mass of Resurrection: Tuesday October 27th at 10:00 am at St. Richard Catholic Church in Swanton