Ralph D. Gillespie

Ralph D. Gillespie, 87, of Van Wert, died at 1 p.m. Sunday, January 18, 2015, at Van Wert Manor.

He was born August 20, 1927, in Ridge Township, Van Wert County, the son of William D. and Mary A. (Ladd) Gillespie, who both preceded him in death. On April 8, 1950, he married Ruth Ellen (Finkhousen) Gillespie, who survives in Van Wert.

Other survivors include four children, Gary L. (Crystal) Gillespie of Auburn, Indiana, Bill (Tina) Gillespie of Angola, Indiana, Jeffery A. Gillespie of Convoy and Kimberly (Nick) Army of Van Wert; five sisters, Lois Lippi of Convoy, Betty Sherer of Middle Point, and Mary Alice Rank, Peggy (Dave) Hiller and Patty Van Wynsberghe, all of Van Wert; seven grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and two stepgreat-grandchildren.

A son, Jerry Gillespie; and one brother, Kenneth Gillespie, also preceded him in death.

A memorial service will be conducted at 11:30 a.m. Monday, January 26, at American Legion Post 178 in Van Wert, with a luncheon to follow. Burial will be at a later date.

There will be no calling hours.

Preferred memorials: Muscular Dystrophy Association or the National Leukemia Foundation.

Alspach-Gearhart Funeral Home & Crematory in Van Wert handled arrangements.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.alspachgearhart.com.