Ralph Herman Burkholder, age 74 of Greenville, Ohio passed away Sunday August 23, 2009 at his home. He was born October 7, 1934 in Henry County, Archbold, Ohio, son of Harold and Alvera (Lindau) Burkholder. He was preceded in death by his parents and infant son Roger in June of 1959.
He is survived by his wife of 51 years, Elizabeth (Mills); Brothers Glen (Rose) and Harley (Donna); Sister Norma Roth (Veryl); daughter Kathy Jo Burkholder (Bruce Epps); son Robert (Vicki); granddaughter Addy; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Ralph graduated from Archbold High School in 1952 and from The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine on June 13, l958. He was active in Veterinary Medicine for over 50 years. He served in the Air Force as Base Veterinarian at Minot AFB, North Dakota, and was in private veterinary practices in Glasgow, Kentucky and Wauseon, Holmesville, and Shreve, Ohio. He spent the last 30 years of his career working for the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Services of the United States Department of Agriculture. Ralph was an Honor Roll Member of the American Veterinary Medical Association and a Life Member of the Ohio Veterinary Medical Association (OVMA). He was active in his profession and community having served on numerous boards, including District Representative to the OVMA Board of Trustees, the Greenville Public Library and the Darke County Soil and Water Conservation District. He was a long time member of St. John’s Lutheran Church of Greenville.
The family will receive friends on Friday from 4:00 P.M. till 7:00 P.M. at the Zechar Bailey Funeral Home 1499 N. Broadway Greenville, Ohio. Private burial services will be held at the Oak Grove Cemetery, Ft. Jefferson on Saturday morning August 29, 2009 followed by a public Celebration of Life Service at St. John’s Lutheran Church 7418 St. Rt. 121-N. Greenville, Ohio at 11:30 A.M. with Dr. Veryl Roth and Pastor Hal Robarge officiating. Lunch will follow the service at the church.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Greenville Public Library, State of the Heart Hospice, Wernle Children’s Home Richmond, Indiana and the St. John’s Lutheran Church Building Fund.
