Keplar, Ralph L.
Ralph L. Keplar, 88 of Orrville, finished his earthly race and entered his eternal home with his savior Jesus Christ on Saturday, July 2, 2022 surrounded by his six daughters after a short illness.
Ralph was born on April 14, 1934 in Nelsonville, Ohio to Clarence A. and Mable (Skiver) Keplar and graduated from Nelsonville High School in 1953. He married Carolyn J. Geiser on July 1, 1960 at the Orrville Christian and Missionary Alliance(C&MA) Church.
After graduating from high school he attended Ohio University, but eventually relocated to Orrville to work at the J.M Smucker Company. He was in the US Army from 1956-1958 and served in Korea. He continued to serve in the Army National Guard and Reserves until 1962.
After his military service, he continued working at the J.M. Smucker Co. where he met his future wife, Carolyn. In 1961 he began his lifelong profession of selling life insurance where he spent the majority of his career with Metropolitan Life. After retiring from Metropolitan, he continued selling life insurance as an independent agent, and he was still working through May of 2022 with Hancock Insurance in Wooster, Ohio.
Ralph invested his time in many things. His biggest investment was raising six daughters! Other investments were being active in the Orrville C&MA Church where he served as a treasurer, board member, and trustee. He served on the Orrville School Board for over twenty years and was actively involved with the Orrville Exchange Club where he spent many years cooking up sausage sandwiches at the Wayne County Fair. Ralph and his late wife Carolyn spent many hours serving the Orrville Community with the Salvation Army and United Way. He loved traveling with his wife and special friends Ted and Mabel Warfel. He enjoyed mowing his grass, his grandchildren, watching college football and basketball games- especially Ohio State, and attending as many Orrville High School football and basketball games as he could.
He is survived by his six daughters Kimberly Amstutz of Orrville, Jana Flory of New Carlisle, Lisa (John) Hoover of Orrville, Beth Ann(Tim) Vance of Orrville, Tina (Alan) Ross of Orrville, and Holly Keplar of Jacksonville, FL; eleven grandchildren, Adam Amstutz, Aaron Amstutz, Sarah Flory, Joseph Flory, Addison Hoover, Collin Hoover, Layton Hoover, Carolyn Vance, Zachary Vance, Noah Vance, and Joia Vance; sister, Glennia Keplar; sister-in-law Ruth Keplar, and numerous nieces and nephews.
He is preceded in death by his wife Carolyn; his parents; brother Richard; sisters Leta Keplar, Zita Bentley, and Phyllis Crosser.
Services will be held at 11 am on Saturday, July 9, 2022, at the Christian and Missionary Alliance Church, 300 S. Walnut St., Orrville, with Pastor Ray Pfahler officiating. Burial will take place at Crown Hill Cemetery in Orrville.
Friends may call on Friday, July 8, at the Christian and Missionary Alliance Church, from 4 pm to 7 pm or one hour prior to the service on Saturday.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Great Commission Fund that supports international work around the world through the Orrville Christian and Missionary Alliance Church. 300 S. Walnut St., Orrville, OH, 44667 – orrvillecma.org
Auble Funeral Home in Orrville is handling the arrangements. Online registry and expressions of condolence may be made at www.aublefuneralhome.com.
