RALPH L. HOELSCHER; 83,

Dairy Farmer

Ralph L. Hoelscher, 83, of 08842 State Route 219, New Knoxville, Ohio died at 1:20 am on Friday, February 6, 2009 at Hospice House in Ashland, Ohio after a lengthy battle with Parkinson’s disease.   

Ralph was born June 13, 1925 east of New Knoxville, on the Hoelscher farm, the son of Emil and Magdalena (Meckstroth) Hoelscher.   On January 14, 1951, he married Irma Prueter, who survives at the residence.   

He attended school at Brookside, a one-room schoolhouse, for 7 years and then went to New Knoxville School and graduated in 1943. 

Ralph enjoyed being a dairy farmer and earned various awards for his Holstein cows.  He was a devout Christian and lifetime member of First United Church of Christ in New Knoxville, Ohio, where he served as Elder for 3 years, Deacon for 3 years, and Sunday School Superintendent for 2 years.   He enjoyed bowling, participating in leagues for many years.  He served on the New Knoxville Local School Board for 8 years and Auglaize County School Board for 9 years.  He was a lifetime member of the Ohio Farmers Union and a member of the Auglaize County Farm Bureau.  He was a charter member of New Knoxville Historical Society and served on the Board for Farmers Home Mutual Fire Insurance Co. for 23 years with 3 years as President.  He was also a member of the Tree Farm Association.  He retired from farming in 1987.  After retirement, he enjoyed playing golf and taking his grandson on golf trips, going on vacation trips with his wife, and spending time with his family and grandchildren.   He has now gone to be with his Lord and Savior.   

Ralph is survived by his wife, Irma, two daughters, Connie Hoelscher of Columbus, Ohio and Peggy (Steve) Yoder of Ashland, Ohio, one son, Lee (Sue) Hoelscher of Westerville,  Ohio, five grandchildren, Chris (Melanie) Yoder of Winston-Salem, North Carolina, Dan Yoder of Ashland, Ohio, Liz (Dave) Schar of New Albany, Ohio, Nicholas Hoelscher of Westerville, Ohio, Emily Hoelscher of Westerville, Ohio, and a sister, Edith (Russ) Moye of Byron, Georgia. 

He was preceded in death by his parents, Emil and Magdalena (Meckstroth) Hoelscher, a daughter, Doris Hoelscher, and a sister, Lucile Hoelscher. 

Services will begin at 10:00 am on Friday, February 13^th at First United Church of Christ in New Knoxville.  The Reverend David Williams will officiate.  Burial will follow at Pilger-Ruhe Cemetery, New Knoxville.  Friends may call from 2 – 4 pm and 6 – 8 pm on Thursday, February 12^th in the Heritage Room of the church.   

Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of North Central Ohio, 1050 Dauch Drive, Ashland, Ohio 44805.   

Arrangements are by Vornholt-Miller Funeral Home, New Knoxville.