GOSHEN — John Ralph Detwiler, 87, died Saturday at 4:10 p.m. at Greencroft Healthcare.
He was born Oct. 8, 1924, in Harrison Township, Indiana, to John B. and Fern E. (Stutsman) Detwiler.
He married Irene Marie Detwiler Nov. 28, 1945, in Elkhart. She survives.
He was a 1942 graduate of Concord High School who worked at Vincent Bach as a socket puller for 33 years. He was a member of Elkhart Valley Church of the Brethren, where he was very active as a deacon, Sunday school teacher/superintendent, custodian and part of the choir. He enjoyed photography, loved barns, family, friends and never met a person he couldn’t have a conversation with. He also had a love for nature and God’s creations.
In addition to his wife, Detwiler is survived by two sons, David (Linda) Detwiler, Nappanee, and Mark (Susan) Detwiler, Wilmington, Del.; two daughters, Lori (Peter) Novachenko, Osceola, and Kathy (Doug) Harris, Elkhart; six siblings, Paul Detwiler, Celina, Ohio, Fred Detwiler, Warsaw, Pearl Reid, Elkhart, Janet Roderick, Columbus, Ohio, Mary Rinehart, Elkhart, and Rebecca Irvin, Bourbon; seven grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents; two sisters, Sarah Gross and Ruby Hunsberger; and a son, Tim Detwiler.
Friends may call Tuesday from 4 to 8 p.m. at Rieth-Rohrer-Ehret Funeral Home, Goshen. The body will lie in state for one hour prior to the funeral service, which is scheduled for Wednesday at 1 p.m. at Elkhart Valley Church of the Brethren, with the Revs. Dan Brenneman and Frank Ramirez officiating.
Burial will follow in West Goshen Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial may be sent to Elkhart Valley Church of the Brethren.
Online condolences may be sent to www.rrefh.com.
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