W. Dale Ramsay, 92
W. Dale Ramsay, 92, of Nova passed away Friday, January 13, 2017 in the Good Shepherd Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation Center following a lingering illness.
He was born in Savannah, Ohio on February 22, 1924 the son of the late William Howard and Velma Marie (nee Lashley) Ramsay. He had been a resident of Clear Creek and Orange Townships all of his life. He was a graduate of Savannah High School class of 1942.
Following his graduation Dale proudly served his country as a member of the United States Army during World War II where he was the recipient of the Bronze Star. He was a member of the Rail Splitters 84 Infantry Division and was classified as a sharp-shooter and was a 30 Caliber Machine Gunner. He fought in the Battle of the Buldge and also with the liberation of between 1400 – 1900 Polish Jewish girls from a concentration camp near Wittenberg, Germany.
Following his return from the army, Dale returned to the area and operated a dairy farm. A lifetime farmer, Dale kept involved with the farm until his health forced him to retire in 2013.
He was a member of the Savannah United Methodist Church, the Savannah VFW Post 5692 and the Ashland County Farm Bureau. Dale and other area farmers also helped with the Vocational Agriculture program at Crestview High School where they would share new ideas and techniques with the students and how to implement them. He was a world traveler and had visited 69 countries and six different continents during his lifetime. He also enjoyed spending the winters in Puerto Rico for many years. He enjoyed fishing and was a talented woodworker and craftsman. He liked to do remodeling and had a hand in building his own home where he still resided.
On June 26, 1944 Dale was married to Leora Arlene Forbes who preceded him in death on November 13, 1979. On December 24, 1983 he was married to Rachel P. Johnson who preceded him in death on December 23, 2009.
On December 23, 2010 he was married to Barbara E. Robertson who survives him. He is also survived by two daughters, Joyce (Marvin) Gallaway of Mansfield; Janice (Mike) Weirich of Ashland; one son Rex (Elizabeth) Ramsay of Nova; Three step-sons, Mark (Marie) Robertson and Doug (Becky) Robertson of Mansfield; Ray (Tammy) Robertson of Ontario; 21 grandchildren; 14 great grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren; one brother William (Irene) Ramsay of Adario and one brother-in-law, Raymond Knee of Haystack, CA.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his wives, Leora Arlene Ramsay and Rachel P. Ramsay, an infant son David Wayne Ramsay and his sister Betty Knee.
Funeral services will be held Tuesday, January 17, 2017 at 2:00 p.m. at the Savannah United Methodist Church with the Reverend Johnnie F. Swann and Chaplain Arden Fitch officiating. Burial with full military honors, conducted by the Ashland Veterans Honor Guard, will be in the Savannah Cemetery. Friends may visit with the family on Monday, January 16, 2017 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Denbow-Gasche Funeral Home and Crematory and on Tuesday January 17, 2017 one hour prior to the service at the Savannah United Methodist Church. The family suggests that memorial contributions may be made to the Savannah United Methodist Church, 10 West Main St. Savannah, Ohio 44874 or to Hospice of North Central Ohio, 1050 Dauch Dr. Ashland, Ohio 44805.
For those not able to attend, expressions of sympathy may be made to the family by visiting denbowfh.com
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