Ralph DeWitt Coffman, Sr.
Ralph DeWitt Coffman, Sr, 86, passed away on Thursday, January 7, 2016, at the Appletree Assisted Living Home in Barlow, Ohio, after spending a lifetime of service to his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ as well as others. He is now having a glorious reunion with Heavenly Father as well as all of those loved ones who had gone on before him. Ralph was born October 21, 1929, to Clemens DeWitt Coffman and Mary (Reed) Coffman in Marietta.
After graduating from Marietta High School, Ralph married Dorothy Joan Stotler who survives with four sons: Ralph (Alta) Coffman and their children Chad (Carmen) Coffman, Kelly (Brock) Robertson, Jo’el (Eric) Huck, Julie (Caleb) Hunter, Alicia (Bryan) Phelps; John (Sharon) Coffman and their children Benjamin Coffman, Jonathan Coffman, Kristin Hedrick; Terry (Debbie) Coffman and their children Shaun (Candace) Coffman, Jennifer (Scott) Hendricks, Jordan (Brittany) Coffman; Chris (Sheila) Coffman and their children Aaron (Sommer) Coffman, Eric Coffman and Andrew(Shannon) Coffman and 20 great grandchildren and his brother Hugh Coffman.
He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Robert Coffman, sister Dr. Ruth Garrett; grandchildren Matthew, Daniel and Christopher Coffman.
Ralph was a dairy farmer, drove truck hauling water, corn and hay, and drove school bus for over 30 years for Warren High School. He was active in the Tunnel United Methodist Church, was a founding member of the Warren Volunteer Fire Department and served as a 4-H leader for several years. Ralph was a leader in the Warren Warrior Athletic Boosters for many years and worked tirelessly on numerous projects. He rarely missed a home Warrior’s game. Ralph was an Honorary FFA Chapter Award member of the Warren FFA because of his major contributions to their annual Citrus Fruit Sale. Ralph was also a member of the Warren Hall of Fame.
A normal day for most of Ralph’s life was to get up at 3:15am, get the cows in and milk them, then drive his school bus route, go home and farm or haul water all day, then around 2:30pm drive his evening school bus route, then immediately complete the evening milking, then dinner and off again to haul water, fire department or sports events, then to bed around 9 pm to repeat the process. He took one vacation a year consisting of 2-3 days and on Sundays he slept in until around 6 because his brother Robert did the milking that day. At one point in his life, he had not missed a single Sunday at Church for approximately 40 years. He had a great love for music and loved to sing, especially church hymns. Ralph never met a stranger. He was a friend to everyone and an absolute joy to be around with a glowing, friendly smile. Ralph truly wore himself out in the service of his Lord, his family and others.
Funeral services will be held on Sunday (Jan. 10) at 2:00 pm at Tunnel United Methodist Church with Pastor Richard Thomas officiating. Burial will follow in Tunnel Cemetery. Friends may call at McClure-Schafer-Lankford Funeral Home on Saturday from 2-4 & 6-8 and at the church one hour before the service. Messages of sympathy may be sent at www.Lankfordfh.com.