Mercer County native Ralph B. "Red" Mescher, 78, of Versailles, died at 10 p.m. Oct. 21, 2006, at Versailles Health Care Center.

He was born Aug. 8, 1928, in Mercer County, to Otto F. and Rosa Buening Mescher. On Feb. 18, 1950, he married Marcella Heitbrink, who survives.

Also surviving are four sons, Doug (Kim), Springboro, and Ron (Karen), Michael (Janice) and Kenny (Sabina), all of Versailles; five daughters, Carol (Richard) Francis, Willowdell, Theresa, of Pennsylvania, Nancy (Cam) Franklin, Sidney, Jan (Bub) Monnin, Versailles, and Lisa (Tyrone) Gasper, Ansonia; six brothers, Nick (Sally), West Liberty, Stanley (Mickey), Tipp City, Jim (Mary Katherine), Fort Loramie, Vernon (Mary Lou), Osgood, and Dennis (Viola) and David (Lucy), all of Maria Stein; six sisters, Lucille Neilson, of Arkansas, Elsie Balster, Maria Stein, Sister Verlina, Arvada, Colo., Sally Mills, Versailles, and Martha, Haiti; 27 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren.

Deceased are sons, Ralph and Joseph, a daughter, Lori, and a brother, Gilbert.

He was a self-employed electrical contractor from 1956 to 1990 and helped build and operated the Knights of Columbus Chapter 1756 baseball diamond in Versailles for 11 years. He helped start the Little League program and the Versailles Athletic Boosters, and was a charter member of Stillwater Valley Golf Club. He also was a member of St. Denis Catholic Church, Knights of Columbus 1756 where he served as Grand Knight, and District Deputy, Rotary Club, and Versailles Developmental Association, all of Versailles. He also was a member of Loyal Order of Moose Lodge 1473, Celina.

Funeral Mass is 10:30 a.m. Thursday at the church, the Rev. David Vincent officiating. Burial is at St. Valbert Cemetery, Versailles.

Calling is 2-8 p.m. Wednesday and 9-10 a.m. Thursday at Bailey Zechar Funeral Home, Versailles. A Knights of Columbus prayer service is Wednesday evening at the funeral home.

Contributions can be made to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, Alzheimer's Association or Versailles Life Squad.

Condolences can be sent at ohzeb@keymemories.com.