Ralph William Eilerman, age 88, formerly of Fort Loramie, passed away of natural causes early Monday morning, January 1, 2024, at Elmwood Assisted Living of New Bremen, Ohio, where he had been an active resident nearly four & one-half years.

He was born January 20, 1935, in Sidney, Ohio, to the late William & Josephine (Albers) Eilerman.

Surviving are two children, Rusty & Kristie Eilerman of Sidney and Shari & Shawn Beckman of Dayton; five grandchildren: Craig Eilerman, Amy Eilerman, Aegis "AJ" & Katie Oswalt, Christian Beckman and Stephanie Beckman along with two great-grandchildren, Jude and Ezra Oswalt; two sisters, Leona Speck of West Milton and Sr. Marge Eilerman of Booneville, KY, along with numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by seven siblings: Cletus & Dolores Eilerman, Norbert & Rita Eilerman, Wilma & Victor Drees, Edna & Urban Fullenkamp, Rita & Dick Brunswick, Dolores & Harold Goettemoeller, Mary & Donald Schwartz and a brother-in-law, John Speck.

Mr. Eilerman graduated valedictorian with the 1953 class of Fort Loramie High School. He then went on to study agriculture at the Ohio State University. In 1999, Ralph retired from the Eilerman Insurance Agency where had been owner and operator for 25 years. In earlier years, he was also engaged in farming. Ralph was a member of St. Michael Catholic Church and a charter (lifetime) member of the McCartyville Knights of Columbus. He served as Turtle Creek Township Trustee for 20 years and had been the director of Jackson Center Co-op Farm Bureau as well as director of the Shelby County Soil & Water Conservation Committee. Ralph was a dedicated member of the Shelby County Democratic Party and had also served on the Democratic Central Committee. He was an active member of the Fort Loramie Athletic Booster Club and the GYM Committee. In his leisure, Ralph enjoyed golf and traveling. He was also a sports enthusiast, so he especially enjoyed following his grandchildren's activities along with the Reds and Buckeyes.

Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 10:30 AM, Friday, January 5, 2024, at St. Michael Church in Fort Loramie with Rev. Craig Eilerman presiding. Interment will follow at St. Michael Cemetery.

Family and friends may call Thursday, January 4, 2024, from 3:00 to 7:00 PM and Friday 9:00 to 10:00 AM at Gehret Funeral Home in Fort Loramie.

Memorials may be made to St. Francis of Tiffin Convent or charities of choice.

Private condolences may be expressed at gehretfuneralhome.com.