COOLVILLE — Ralph C. Henderson, “Abe,” passed away Sunday, Febr. 8, 2009 at his farm home in Coolville, with his loving wife Frances, by his side.

Born Dec. 4, 1920 in Alfred, he was the son of Clarence Lee and Osie Elizabeth Carr Henderson.

Ralph is survived by his wife, Frances Malone Henderson; brothers, William Sherman Henderson (Roberta) and Harold Lee Henderson (Wilma); a sister, Margaret Follrod; a sister-in-law, Thelma Henderson; nieces and nephews include Linda Williams (Dave), Pamela Henderson, Chuck Follrod (Michele), Susan Tillman (Ron), Sharon Gillogly, Robert Lee Henderson (Carrie) and Lisa Ritchie (Kenny); great nieces and nephews, Kriston, Megan and Ashley Follrod, Aaron Williams, Jason Pullins, Ed Garret and Clayton Ritchie.

He was preceded in death by his parents, a brother, Clarence Wilson Henderson; an infant sister; a sister-in-law, Marjorie Malone and a brother-in-law, Richard Carlton Follrod.

He was a 1939 graduate of Tuppers Plains High School. He served with the U.S. Army for five years from June, 1942 through January, 1946. He was in charge of the Army Hospital Building and Equipment repairs and maintenance, where he supervised more than 75 men in France.

On Thanksgiving Day in 1959, Ralph married Frances Malone and they spent the next 50 years together. He enjoyed his life as a farmer and local businessman. Ralph had previously attended Alfred United Methodist Church and is a member of the Coolville United Methodist Church.

He served 50 years as Camp Secretary for Modern Woodmen of America, Camp 10900 of Rock Island, Ill. He sponsored the annual MWA Oyster Stew-Christmas Tree Party, fraternalism and scholarships. He was proud of the Coolville Volunteer Fire Department, often sponsoring matching funds projects to raise money for better fire equipment.

He was an Athens County Farm Bureau Board member and served on the Meigs County Fair Board earlier. Ralph enjoyed the Coolville Lions Club and believed in their fine work to eradicate blindness worldwide.

Abe was an excellent farmer, electrician, insurance agent, master blueprint carpenter and cattleman. He loved God, his wife Frances, family, animals, farm and so many friends. “HOW GLAD WE ARE YOU CAME OUR WAY ABIE BABY.”

Abe was pleased to count as special friends, Paul McPherson, Bob Bigley, George Gilbert and John Breedlove.

A memorial service will be held at 4 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 22, 2009, at the Coolville United Methodist Church with Katherine Riley officiating.

Friends are invited to join the family in the fellowship hall for a dinner after the service.

Arrangements are by White-Schwarzel Funeral Home, Coolville. You can sign the online guestbook at www.white-schwarzelfuneralhome.com.