Ralph Woodring, age 84, of Port Matilda went to be with the Lord peacefully surrounded by family on Saturday, November 8, 2008 at Mount Nittany Medical Center. He was born February 24, 1924 in Port Matilda, son of the late Samuel and Minnie L. Stimer Woodring.
On November 1, 1944 in Port Matilda he was married by Reverend Gordon to Nelly Robison who survives. They recently celebrated 64 years of marriage. Also surviving are two daughters and a son-in-law, Linda and Dean Rudy and Bonnie Hay, all of Port Matilda, two granddaughters and one grandson – Kelly Jo (Robert) McClure of Port Matilda, Deanna (John) Heichel of Warriors Mark and Butch (Tonia) Rudy of Port Matilda. Also surviving are eight great-grandchildren – Mindy Rudy, Douglas Rudy, Breanna Williams, Danielle Heichel, John David Heichel and triplets Connor, Brandon and MacKenzie McClure. An infant son and daughter preceded him in death.
He was the last of his immediate family with Charles, Harry, George, Earl, Melvin, Clarence, Ida, Pearl and Winifred having preceded him in death. He is survived by a sister-in-law, Dolly Woodring of Centre Hall and many beloved nieces and nephews.
Ralph was of the Methodist faith. He was a devoted husband, father, and the light of his life were his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He was an outdoorsman and an avid hunter, flea marketer and worked on antique clocks.
He had been employed by McFeeley Brick Yard in Port Matilda until their closing. He was then employed at the Bald Eagle Area School District as a maintenance man until his retirement in 1984.
Funeral services for Ralph Woodring will be Wednesday, November 12, 2008 at 11 a.m. at the Richard H. Searer Funeral Home Inc. with Pastor Patricia Gable officiating. Interment will follow in Port Matilda Presbyterian Cemetery. Friends may call at the funeral home on Tuesday from 7 to 9 p.m. and on Wednesday from 10 to 11 a.m.
Contributions in Ralph’s memory are requested to the American Heart Association, 501 Howard Avenue, Altoona, PA 16601 or the American Diabetes Association, 2040 Linglestown Road, Suite 106, Harrisburg, PA 17110.
