As originally published on Friday, August 29, 2008.

Ralph Calvin Ohler, age 87, passed away quietly at his daughter's home, Wednesday Aug. 27, 2008.

Ralph was born and raised in and around Emmitsburg all his life except for the three years of army duty. He served in the South Pacific, Hawaii, New Zealand, the Philippines, and after the war, he was sent to Korea then to return home.

Ralph married his wife, Leah (Smith) Ohler in 1947, by Pastor Philip Bower at Elias Lutheran Church in Emmitsburg. Ralph loved his church and was a Sunday school teacher as well as serving as a deacon in the church. One of his hobbies was building model airplanes, flying them and to his dismay crashing them. He worked at the Cambridge Rubber Factory for several years, then going to work for the Springfield state hospital, retiring at the age of 62.

Surviving in addition to his wife, Leah, is a daughter and son-in-law, Sharon and James Winfield; and a son, Eric Ohler all of Emmitsburg; grandchildren, Melissa Lewis of Cascade, Sherry Bomburger of Rocky Ridge, James Winfield Jr. of Gettysburg and Dustin Winfield of Emmitsburg; and a great grand-daughter, Courtney Bomburger of Rocky Ridge. Ralph was preceded in death by a son, Ralph Ohler Jr.; parents, Glen Ohler and Alma Ohler Sheely and step-father, Earl Sheely.

A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m Saturday at Elias Evangelical Lutheran Church, 100 North Ave., Emmitsburg with his pastor, the Rev. Ronald Fearer, officiating. Interment will follow in the Emmitsburg Memorial Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 10 a.m. until the time of service Saturday at the Church.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Elias Evangelical Lutheran Church, c/o Bonnie Hahn, P.O Box 465, 100 North Avenue, Emmitsburg, MD 21727.