Ralph R. Pickering Sr., 77, of New Bremen, died at 3:45 p.m. Dec. 4, 2011, at Kindred Hospital, Lima.

He was born June 24, 1934, in West Alexandria, to Karl V. and Eva G. (Roach) Pickering. On Dec. 21, 1957, he married Emilie J. Lininger, who survives.

Also surviving are three children, Julie (Gary) Garman, Lindale, Ga., and Ralph (Julie) Pickering Jr. and Shelby (Bradley) Wiechart, all of Celina; two stepdaughters, Kaye (Robin) Anderson, Celina, and Kendra Bonifas, St. Marys; siblings, Joseph Pickering, Wapakoneta, Hazel Heinfeld, Ada, Karlene Speicher, Wapakoneta, and Anita Andrew and Robert Pickering, both of Celina; 20 grandchildren; 33 great-grandchildren; and 11 great-great-grandchildren.

Two brothers, Francis and James Pickering, and a great-granddaughter are deceased.

He retired from the former Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. of St. Marys and worked at RT Industries of Troy. He was a member of New Bremen American Legion Post 241, Wapakoneta Fraternal Order of Eagles Lodge and the American Motorcycle Association. He served as a U.S. Army mechanic in Europe during the Korean War.

Services are 10:30 a.m. Thursday at St. Paul United Church of Christ in New Bremen, the Rev. Allen P. Brown officiating. Burial will follow at Resthaven Memorial Gardens near St. Marys.

Calling is 2 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Gilberg-Hartwig Funeral Home, New Bremen, and after 9:30 a.m. Thursday at the church.