Groff Funeral Homes
1607 East Perkins Avenue
Sandusky, OH 44870
Phone: 419-626-3632
Fax: 419-626-2445
Email: info@grofffuneralhomes.com
Website: http://www.grofffuneralhomes.com
View All Obituaries from Groff Funeral Homes
Ralph A. May, 94, of Sandusky, passed away early Wednesday morning, December 10, 2014, at Cleveland Metro Hospital with his wife, Eileen, and six children by his side.
He was born October 08, 1920, in Sandusky, to the late Ralph and Angela (Schmieder) May.
Ralph was a 1938 graduate of St. Mary's High School and a decorated Marine veteran who served during WW II in the Pacific Theater on Guadalcanal and Attu. Ralph was a union carpenter for over 35 years and worked for several construction companies in Sandusky before enjoying full retirement in 1983. He loved gardening, fishing (when the perch were biting and plentiful), puttering around in his shop, and remodeling his children's homes. Ralph enjoyed driving to and from Florida in the winter and he became a fair golfer for a duffer playing well into his 80s (years not strokes!).
He was a baptized Catholic, raised in the Holy Angels parish, and a faithful parishioner at St. Mary's Catholic Church, where he served on the parish council and as an usher. Ralph was a Fourth Degree Knight of Columbus and former Faithful Navigator, as well as a member of the VFW and American Legion.
Ralph is survived by his loving wife, Eileen (Roth) May; six children, Carolyn (Butch) Sisler of Bruceton Mills WV, Christine May of St. Paul MN, Mark (Sharon) May of Port Clinton, Catherine (Paul) Burger of Bowling Green, Steve (Linda) May and John (Keri) May of Sandusky; 10 grandchildren, Margaret Sisler, Elizabeth Sisler Mace, David May, Kevin May, Eric May, Steven Burger, Lisa Burger Straley, Sarah May, Kathleen and Carolyn May; 7 great-grandchildren, William, Matthew and Annabel Mace, Rowan and Conor May, Violet May and Lucas Burger; sister and brother-in-law, Janet and Charles Lochotzki of Sandusky; two sisters-in-law, Catherine (Thornton) Berry and Agnes (Farley) Thornton of Perrysburg; stepchildren Daleen (Dennis) Kennedy, Mark (Jan) Roth, Valerie (Steve) Kennedy, Brad (Therese) Roth, Sharon (Todd) Wilson, Julie (Ed) Opfer, and Jude (Shelly) Roth, as well as 25 step-grandchildren, and 30 step-great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces, nephews, and many great friends.
In addition to his parents, Ralph was preceded in death by his loving wife of 50 years, Mildred Rose (Thornton) May; sister, Jeanne (Sis) Krafty and her husband, Jim; brother, James May and his wife, Della Rose; brothers-in-law Bill, Jack, and Arthur Thornton and Claude Berry; sisters-in-law, Sister Agnes Therese (Elizabeth) Thornton, Sister St. Mark (Margaret) Thornton, and Ruby (Loomis) Thornton.
Friends may call on Sunday, December 14, 2014 from 3:00pm to 6:00pm at Groff Funeral Homes & Crematory, 1607 E. Perkins Ave., Sandusky. A prayer service will be held in the funeral home Monday, December 15, 2014 at 9:30 am followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 am at St. Mary's Catholic Church, 429 Central Ave., Sandusky with Father Joe Steinbauer officiating. Burial will follow in St. Joseph's Cemetery, Sandusky. Military honors will be conducted at the cemetery by the "Marines Forever" final farewell burial detail.
The family suggests that memorial contributions be made to St. Mary Catholic Church, 429 Central Avenue, Sandusky, OH 44870.
Online condolences may be shared at www.grofffuneralhomes.com.
