Ralph Embers Ashcraft, Jr

Indiana, Marriage Certificates, 1958-2005

• Name: Ralph Embers Ashcraft
• Age: 24
• Birth Year: abt 1951
• Birth Place: Indiana
• Marriage Date: 14 Mar 1975
• Marriage Place: Kokomo, Howard, Indiana, USA
• * Spouse: Joann Suits
• * Certificate Number: 75-009849
• * Name: Joann Suits
• * Gender: Female
• * Age: 21
• * Birth Year: abt 1954
• * Birth Place: Indiana
• * Marriage Date: 14 Mar 1975

S3., US NAVY, VIETNAM

Ralph E. Ashcraft Jr., 62, Kokomo, passed away at 8:04 PM, Saturday, December 7, 2013 at Community Howard Regional Health.

He was born February 10, 1951 in Kokomo, Indiana to the late Ralph E. Ashcraft Sr. and Mary Elizabeth (Zellner) Ashcraft.

On March 14, 1975 in Kokomo, he married JoAnn (Suits) Ashcraft and she survives.

Ralph spent a lot of time at the skating rink on Morgan as he was a competitive roller skater as a child. He also delivered newspapers in the Country Club area of Kokomo. He graduated from Kokomo High School in 1969, and was a member of the Robe Choir for four years. While living in Jamestown, North Dakota, he was selected for Who's Who of Young Americans. He attended Indiana College of Business & Technology. Ralph worked at various places in Kokomo prior to entering the United States Navy, which he served from April 7, 1970 to April 16, 1974. He felt called to the ministry and had begun to take classes while in the Navy. He entered the Salvation Army Training College in 1976 and was commissioned a Lieutenant in 1978. He was promoted to the rank of Captain in 1983 and to the rank of Major in 1998. During his time serving as a Salvation Army officer he was a member of the Kiwanis and Rotary clubs in various areas. He was member & Officer in The Salvation Army for 33 years and retired early in 2011 due to health issues.

He had a passion for the lost, enjoyed preaching and assisting during times of disaster. One of the programs he helped start was a Thanksgiving Community Dinner in Cape Girardeau, Missouri in the 80's. It grew from feeding 45 guests the first year to most recently, feeding over 2,100 guests. He was known as a humble person and enjoyed music, playing guitar, banjo and the ukulele. His two granddaughters, Tayla and Dana, were the joy of his world.

Surviving is his wife; JoAnn Ashcraft, Kokomo, one son; Joshua Paul Ashcraft and wife, Noelle, Kokomo, two grandchildren; Tayla and Dana Ashcraft, Kokomo, one sister; Connie Schoby and husband, Bill, Kokomo, three nephews; Mike Valadez and wife, Donna, Kokomo, Mark Valadez, Galveston, and Matt Valadez, Kokomo, stepmother; Elsie Ashcraft.

He was preceded in death by his parents; an infant sister, Elizabeth Charlene, and his twin infant brother.

Funeral services will be at 1:00 PM Thursday, December 12, 2013 at Ellers Mortuary Webster Street Chapel, 3400 South Webster Street with Major Dennis Strissel officiating.

Burial will be Friday, December 13 at 11am at Marion National Cemetery with full military honors conducted by United States Navy and Kokomo VFW military rites team. Friends may visit with the family from 11:00AM to 1:00PM on Thursday, December 12, 2013 at the mortuary.

Memorial Contributions may be made in Ralph's name to the Salvation Army Kokomo or an Education Fund for Tayla and Dana Ashcraft. Ellers Mortuary Webster Street Chapel is in charge of arrangements.

• Reference: Find A Grave Memorial - SmartCopy: Feb 16 2017, 13:12:57 UTC