Ralph W. Hendershott Sr. of Niles
June 26, 1927 — Nov. 10, 2016
Niles Daily Star, Published 6:00 am Monday, November 14, 2016
Ralph William Hendershott Sr., 89, of Niles, died peacefully following a brief illness at 10:15 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 10, 2016, with his family gathered around at his home in Niles.
He was born June 26, 1927, in LaPorte, Indiana, to Benjamin Peter and Elgie (Odykirk) Hendershott.
He enlisted in the U.S. Air Force near the end of World War II, and was stationed in the Territory of Alaska as foreign service, prior to Alaska’s statehood. He was discharged in 1949 as a veteran of World War II, and settled in Niles.
He was a member of United Automobile Workers Union Local 590, and was employed for 33 years at the former South Bend, Indiana, plant of the Torrington Company.
Ralph attended Saint Mary Catholic Church in Niles. He enjoyed traveling throughout the western U.S. He maintained a large vegetable garden and a well-kept yard.
- Ralph W. Hendershott Sr.
On Nov. 13, 1948, in Saint Joseph, he married the former Lucia J. Brothers, with whom he would have celebrated the remarkable 68th anniversary of their wedding this Sunday.
Surviving family includes his wife, Lucia Hendershott; their children, Ralph W. Jr. (Suzette) Hendershott of Buchanan and Janet M. Hendershott of Niles; grandchildren Levi (Monica) Hendershott and Carisa (Randy) Simpson; great-grandchildren Ginger Hendershott, Devon Simpson and Esme Simpson; Ralph Sr.’s sister, Shirley McKinley of Lafayette, Indiana; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents and 13 siblings: Harold, David, Harvey, Wayne, Clyde, Edna, Mary, Ruth, Dollie, Doris, Anna Mae, Dorothy and Hazel.
A Catholic funeral liturgy for Ralph Hendershott Sr. will be read by the Rev. Christian Johnston of Saint Mary Catholic Church at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 16, 2016, at Halbritter-Wickens Funeral Home in Niles. Committal rites will follow in Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles, and will conclude with a veteran’s flag presentation and the playing of taps by the U.S. Air Force Honor Guard.
The family will receive relatives and friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 15, 2016, at the funeral home. Contributions in memory of Ralph may be made to the Niles Senior Center, 1109 Bell Road, Niles, MI 49120.