Ralph E. Hutcheson

Ralph E. Hutcheson, 91, of Marietta, passed away at 1:15 pm on Tuesday, May 18, 2010, at his home.

He was born on October 19, 1918, in Marietta a son of the late John S. and Elizabeth Gibson Hutcheson.  Ralph was a graduate of Marietta High School, Class of 1936 and earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry from Marietta College in 1940.  He served in the U. S. Army from 1942 until 1946 and was involved in the invasion at Normandy with an Engineer Company who followed the invasion troops to Germany.  He served in the Army Reserves for 20 years.  He was employed for 37 years as a chemist for American Cynamide. Ralph was a life member of Christ United Methodist Church and loved going to church work camps and teaching young people carpenter skills.  He and his wife attended 8 work camp experiences after his retirement.  Ralph was a member of Marietta Civitan Club, Harmar Lodge 390, 3 York Rite Bodies, American Legion and Retired Army Officers organization. 

Ralph was first married to Alice Jennings Hutcheson who preceded him in death in 1974.  He was then married to Eileen LaDeaux Lukens Hutcheson who survives with children:  Joseph E. Lukens and wife Laurie of Lisle, IL, Lois E. Lukens and husband Richard Child of Racine, WI; grandchildren:  Flip Lukens and wife Pamela of Spring Hill, TN, Michelle Lukens Cochran and husband Matt of Greensburg, IN, Lucas Child of Palm Beach Gardens, FL and 5 great grandchildren.  He is also survived by nieces and nephews:  Ann Mullen, Dan Archer and Nancy Russell of Marietta, Jane Mooney of Fort Worth, TX, Sally Newell of Hatteras, NC and Bill Archer of Batavia, OH; cousins:  June Wagner of Beverly, Jack Gibson of Gloucester, Mass., Bill Hutcheson of Cincinnati and Jim Gibson of Fleming.

Ralph was a loving person:  a husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather and was loved by all.  He taught and guided all of us on our journeys by sharing his own. The family would like to give special thanks and prayers for Brenda Norton and Hospice of Marietta.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday (May 22nd) at 11:00 am at Christ United Methodist Church with Reverend Don Archer officiating.  Burial will be in St. Mary Catholic Cemetery. Friends may call at McClure-Schafer-Lankford Funeral Home on Friday after 2:00 pm with family present from 2-4 and 6-8 and at the church 1 hour before the service.

Memorial contributions in Ralph’s memory are requested to:  Christ United Methodist Church, Work Camp Programs, 301 Wooster Street, Marietta, OH 45750.