Obituary for Ralph Updegraff
Ralph W. Updegraff
age 92, of North Canton, passed away on Saturday, May 26, 2012. He was born in
Akron, Ohio on June 19, 1919 to the late, Emerson and Zelma Updegraff. Ralph was a graduate of Massillon Washington High School where he played football under the legendary Coach Paul Brown. He went on to earn his Bachelor of Science Degree in Mathematics from Ohio Wesleyan College where he was a member of the Phi Gamma Delta Fraternity. He proudly served our country in the United States Army during World War II. He retired from the Timken Company in 1981 following over 30 years of employment as an industrial engineer and steel mill manager. Ralph was a longtime member of Lowell Church and the Canton YMCA. He enjoyed golf, skiing, racquetball and playing bridge. He was a former member of the church league softball team and also umpired church league softball games and refereed area high school football and basketball games. Ralph was the past president of Shady Hollow Country Club and was very active in the Player's Guild and the junior Chamber of Commerce in Canton. He will be deeply missed and never forgotten. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Joyce Updegraff on Jan. 6, 2010; and an infant daughter, Julie Updegraff.
Survivors include his two children and their spouses, Jerry and Melinda Updegraff of Lockhaven, Pa. and Alice and Joe Molter of Cleveland Heights, Ohio; grandchildren, Col. Jay (Becky) Updegraff, Julie (Michael) Distin and Stephen Molter; great-grandchildren, Daniel Updegraff, Catherine Updegraff, William Distin and John Distin.
Visitation will be Friday from 12-2 p.m. in the Reed Funeral Home North Canton Chapel, 801 Pittsburg Ave. N.W. Services will be private for the family and burial will be in Rose Hill Memorial Gardens.