Columbus
Ralph R. Dwenger, 88, of Columbus, passed away the morning of Sunday, August 9, 2015, at Homeveiw Health Care Center in Franklin.
Ralph was born February 26, 1927, in Decatur County, to Raymond and Flora (Rolfes) Dwenger and was one of eight children, 4 boys and 4 girls.
After graduation from New Point High School in Decatur County in 1944, Ralph honorably served his country in the United States Army Air Corps. He was a recipient of the Victory Medal and the Army of Occupation Medal – Germany. He was trained as a radio communications expert in the service and graduated from United Television Laboratories Institute in 1949.
Ralph married Mary Lou Gindling June 30, 1951, in Batesville, and she survives. He resided with his wife in Columbus where they raised their five children. He was a devoted member of the Columbus Catholic Community, St. Bartholomew (St. Columba) Parish for 64 years. During his life, he was active in Knights of Columbus, the Elks Club and Columbus Optimist Club. He worked for Horn’s Television Sales and Service, later Horn’s Appliance Center, for 25 years. He followed this with 24 years in automotive sales in Columbus, working for Mahan Ford, Voelz Motors and Behler Pontiac/Toyota. He retired then returned to work part time with Aton’s Auto.
Ralph enjoyed sports, music and traveling with his wife and time with his large family and many friends.
Surviving Ralph are his wife, Mary Lou, of Franklin; his brother, Russell Dwenger of Columbus; his children, Pamela Dwenger of Terre Haute, Wendy (Randy) Baldwin of Peru, Dr. Randall R. Dwenger (Steven Callahan) of Salisbury, Connecticut, Rick (Martha) Dwenger of Columbus, and Ronald Dwenger of Terre Haute; 12 grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents; a son, Gregory Dwenger; his brothers, Robert and Donald Dwenger; and his sisters, Edna Bruns, Helen Sullivan, Mary Jane Sullivan and Patricia Mulvaney.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Saturday, August 15, 2015, at St. Bartholomew Roman Catholic Church, 1306 27th Street, Columbus, by Father Clement T. Davis. Calling will begin at 10 a.m. in the church narthex. Military honors will be conducted by the Bartholomew County Honor Guard.
There will be no graveside gathering on this day. In keeping with Ralph’s wishes, cremation is planned.
Friends and family are welcome to gather in the lower level of the church for a prepared light lunch immediately following the mass.
In lieu of flowers or gifts, the family would suggest a memorial donation to the Alzheimer’s Association at alz.org; the ALS Association (Lou Gehrig’s Disease) at alsa.org; or the Knights of Columbus.
Arrangements were made by Myers-Reed Chapel on 25th Street.
Online condolences may be sent to Ralph’s family at www.myers-reed.com.
