Ralph Nelson

Ralph Harvey Nelson

November 17, 1944 – March 10, 2022

Ralph Harvey Nelson, 77, longtime resident of Ashville, OH and New Albany, OH went to be with our Heavenly Father on March 10, 2022. He passed away peacefully in his home surrounded by his family after a 3 year battle with prostate and bone cancer.

Ralph was born in Gallion, OH to George William Nelson and Esther Marie Nelson on November 17, 1944. He married his wife Joyce on October 4, 1970 and together they celebrated 51 years of marriage. He worked at Krogers for 12 years, most of those years were spent in the Meat Management Division. He later worked at Northland Refrigeration as a Salesman and part-time at Plain Township as the Zoning Inspector. He started his own General Contracting business “Ralph’s Design” and later retired in 2009.

Ralph was a self-made man with many talents. He taught himself electrical, plumbing, and drafting. If it was broken, he could fix it. His favorite hobby was rebuilding old cars and his 38 Chevy was his “baby.” He also enjoyed researching his family genealogy. Ralph never knew a stranger and was loved by many. He always had a special way of touching people’s lives who crossed his path. Throughout his career he received many awards but his most treasured award was being “Papal” to his Grandchildren. He had a special place in his heart for each of them. He spent his life providing for his family and protecting each one of them. He admired his wife Joyce throughout the years for her dedication and love by being the glue that kept them all together while he provided for them. She cared and supported him as he faced each discouraging test result and encouraged him to follow his heart as he made each medical decision. He had a special love for his dog “Patches” who stayed by his side everyday and comforted him during his cancer journey. He was so proud of his son Corey who took time off from work and his family to care for him in his final weeks. Corey was determined to grant his Father’s final wish of being able to stay in his own home so he could be close to his family and loved ones.

Ralph is preceded in death by his parents, George William Nelson and Esther Marie Nelson, his siblings, Calvin Nelson of Richwood, OH, Bessie Smith of Houston, TX, Geraldine “Deanie” (James) Meham of Yoakum, TX , Jodene (Murray) Carpenter of Marion, OH, , and Clyde (Brenda) Dawson of Marion OH.

He is survived by loving wife of 51 years, Joyce Nelson, his sibling Eva Langston of Dallas, TX, his children Mary (Jim) Hollenbeck of Prospect, OH; Ralph “Casey” Nelson II of Orlando, FL; Lori Figueredo of Delaware, OH; and Corey (Julia) Nelson of Ashville, OH. In addition, Ralph was blessed with 7 Grandchildren; Trasan Moore, of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; Timothy (Keira) Hollenbeck of Prospect, OH; Marisa and Malaina Figueredo of Delaware, OH; and Cambria, Caden, and Clayton of Ashville, OH and 2 Great Grandchildren Mya and Amelia Hollenbeck of Prospect, OH, his brother and sister-in laws, and many nieces and nephews.

Ralph’s family wishes to extend their sincere thanks to the doctors, nurse’s ,and nurse aide’s of Mt. Carmel Hospice . A special thanks and a big hug goes out to Danielle Jeskey for her compassion and love that she shared with all of the family and her attentive care she gave to Ralph over the past eight weeks.

Visitation will be from 11:00 am to 12:00 noon on Tuesday, March 15, 2022 at South Bloomfield United Methodist Church, 5027 2nd St W., South Bloomfield, OH. 43103. Funeral service will begin at 12 noon and a celebration luncheon to follow. For those who are unable to attend, a live webcast of the funeral service will be available on South Bloomfield United Methodist Church’s website: http://www.southbloomfieldumc.org/ with Pastor Floyd Hubbell officiating. Burial will follow at 3:00 p.m. at Maplewood Cemetery, 4585 Reynoldsburg New Albany Road, New Albany, OH 43054.

Donations may be given in lieu of flowers to the South Bloomfield United Methodist Church. Donations can be mailed to: South Bloomfield United Methodist Church, 5027 2nd St W., South Bloomfield, OH. 43103 in honor of Ralph H. Nelson. All donations will go toward building and parsonage improvements.