Ralph L. Hoelscher, 83, of 08842 state Route 219, New Knoxville, died at 1:20 a.m. Feb. 6, 2009, at Hospice House in Ashland.

He was born June 13, 1925, on the Hoelscher farm, east of New Knoxville, to Emil and Magdalena Meckstroth Hoelscher. On Jan. 14, 1951, he married Irma Prueter, who survives.

Other survivors are two daughters, Connie, Columbus and Peggy (Steve) Yoder, Ashland; a son, Lee (Sue), Westerville; a sister, Edith (Russ) Moye, Byron, Ga.; and five grandchildren.

Deceased is a daughter, Doris; and a sister, Lucile Hoelscher.

He was a dairy farmer and a member of the First United Church of Christ, New Knoxville, where he served as Elder for three years, Deacon for three years and Sunday school superintendent for two years. He served on the New Knoxville Local School Board for eight years and the Auglaize County School Board for nine years. He was a member of the Ohio Farmers Union, the Auglaize County Farm Bureau, the New Knoxville Historical Society and served on the board for Farmers Home Mutual Fire Insurance Company for three years before retiring from farming in 1987.

Services are 10 a.m. Friday at the church, the Rev. David Williams officiating. Burial is at Pilger-Ruhe Cemetery, New Knoxville.

Calling is 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Thursday in the Heritage room of the church.

Contributions can be made to Hospice of North Central Ohio, Ashland. Vornholt-Miller Funeral Home, New Knoxville, is handling funeral arrangements.

Condolences can be left at www.millerfuneralhomes.net.