Ralph D. Pierson, 85, of Wolverine, passed away Tuesday, April 18, 2017 in Palm Coast, Florida, following a brief illness.
Ralph was born December 18, 1931 in Alvordton, Ohio, the son of Floyd Virgil and Helen Beatrice (Bowers) Pierson. He was a resident of West Unity, Ohio until 1978 when he moved to Wolverine, Michigan.
Ralph served in the U.S. Army with the 7th infantry during the Korean War from 1951-1953. On June 5, 1954 in West Unity, he married Gloria Traxler. Ralph was employed by the Ohio Gas Company in Bryan, Ohio from 1954 until his retirement in 1978. After moving to Wolverine in 1978, with his wife Gloria and son, they owned and operated the Wildwood Chalet Motel-Resort until 1986. Ralph served on the village councils for both West Unity and Wolverine, and was also the former liquor inspector for Wolverine. He was former commander of Legion Post 669 in West Unity and a proud life member of Wolverine American Legion Post #122. In addition he served as a committee member of the Wolverine Lumberjack Festival. Ralph also served as a guide for pheasant hunters at the Circle M Shooting Preserve. His passions were mushroom hunting, snowmobiling, camping and fishing.
A loving husband, father and grandfather, he is survived by his wife, Gloria, four children, Debra (Henry) Ramos of Fayette, Ohio, Judy (Bill) Norrick of West Unity, Ohio, Pam (Sam)Aeschliman of Palm Coast, Florida, and Ralph “Dewey”(Kimmy) Pierson, II of Wolverine. Also surviving are 11 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren, with one more on the way, and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, two infant twin sisters, Ruth Ann and Audrey Ann, a sister, Carol Jean Stantz, a great grandson, Tyler Anderson, and a niece, Sheila Stantz.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the family who intends to place a memorial bench at the Wolverine Lumberjack Park in Ralph’s memory.
Online condolences may be made at www.stonefuneralhomeinc.com.