Rev. Ralph W. Martin

LAKESIDE - The Rev. Ralph W. Martin, Jr., 91, formerly of Beaver Falls, Pa., and recently of Lakeside, died Dec. 11, 2005, at Otterbein North Shore Retirement Community in Lakeside. He was born May 24, 1914, in Castle Shannon (a suburb of Pittsburgh, PA), the son of Ralph W. and Laura Ruth (Cunningham) Martin. Ralph was well educated, having graduated from Mt. Lebanon High School, both Pittsburgh Academy and Robert Morris Schools of Business, Mt. Union College in Alliance, OH with his B.A. in English, and Garrett Theological School with a Master of Divinity degree. He also had a master’s degree in guidance and counseling from Westminster College (PA). Ralph’s passions and contributions to life spanned a wide variety of activities and organizations. He was a member of Phi Kappa Tau fraternity; the American Field Service board; the Beaver Falls Community Concert board; the Beaver Valley Retired Men’s group; and various garden and camera clubs in the greater Ellwood City and Beaver Valley areas. Rev. Martin worked for General Electric Company and Dravo Corporation before serving as the pastor of McKnight Village (Pgh.), Mt. Lebanon (ass’t.), Wexford, Brocton and Portland (NY), New Wilmington, Ellwood City , and Riverview United Methodist Churches. Ralph also served on a variety of conference committees and boards of the United Methodist Church as well as being active in the church camp programs at Wesley Woods and Jumonville. He retired in 1979. Rev. Martin was an avid Mount Union College sports fan. He enjoyed painting, cross-stitch, crewel work, doing brass rubbings, making Christmas decorations, gardening, flower arranging, stained glass work, golfing, bowling, music, photography, and traveling. He and his late wife hosted many international guests and had the opportunity to visit a few of them in their native lands. Surviving are his daughter and son-in-law, Janet (William) Cummings of Castalia; his son, Eric Paul Martin of Boulder, CO.; his granddaughter, Katie Lynn Cummings; his sister Anna Ruth McKelvey of Orlando, FL; six nephews, Ray Comfort of St. Joseph, MI; William Comfort of MD; Robert McKelvey of Indianapolis, IN; Don McKelvey of Wheeling, WV; Doug McKelvey and Dave McKelvey, both of FL; and many cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents, Ralph and Ruth Martin; his wife of 54 years, Rev. Jane S. (aka Betty) Martin who died Sept. 2, 2005; and one sister, Florence G. Comfort. Memorial contributions in his name may be sent to Mount Union College Alumni Fund, 1972 Clark Ave., Alliance, OH 44601 or Stein Hospice Service Inc., 1200 Sycamore Line, Sandusky, OH, 44870 or any local United Methodist Church . Visitation will be at the Neidecker, LeVeck & Crosser Funeral Home, Peninsula Chapel, Marblehead, OH on Friday from 3-6 PM and at the Campbell's Chippewa Funeral Home in Beaver Falls, PA on Sunday from 2-5 pm where funeral services will be held on Monday at 1 pm with the Rev. Doug Lewis officiating. Interment will be in Mt. Lebanon Presbyterian Church Cemetery, Beaver Falls, PA. Funeral Home: Neidecker-LeVeck & Crosser Funeral Home - Peninsula Chapel 7755 East Harbor Road Lakeside-Marblehead, OH US 43440