Ralph Morton Mesing, 81 years old of Decatur, Indiana, passed away at 5:40 p.m. on Sunday, May 20, 2007 in the Lutheran Hospital of Indiana located in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Ralph was born on December 4, 1925 in Allen County, Indiana, the son of the late Clarence Mesing and the late Elsie (Mueller) Mesing. He married Edna E. Marbach on March 31, 1951 in Immanuel Lutheran Church, Decatur and she survives. Ralph was a veteran who served his country in the United States Army during the Korean War. Ralph was a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church, Preble, Indiana, where he held several offices in the church. Ralph was also a member of the American Legion Post #43 in Decatur, Indiana, a lifetime member of the Korean War Veterans Association, and a member of the Adams County Heart Club. Ralph retired in 1989 from Kunkle Valve Company in Ft. Wayne, Indiana after 39 1/2 years of service. Ralph is survived by his wife of 56 years, Edna E. Mesing of Decatur, Indiana, daughter, Sylvia (Al) Ensley of Hudson, Indiana, son, Jim (Patricia) Mesing of Jacksonville, Florida, son, Howard Mesing of Carson, California, twin-daughter, Darlene (Gerry) Ehle of Harlan, Indiana, twin-daughter, Marlene (Jim) Vandre of Marysville, Ohio, son, Wally (Carla) Mesing of Decatur, Indiana, nine grandchildren: Christina Perez, Jill Brown, LCPL Al Ensley III, Sgt. Clifford Ehle, Kyle Ehle, Amanda Davis, Julie Vandre, Mark Mesing, Paul Mesing; two great-grandchildren: Alex Perez, Carter Perez; two step-grandchildren: Tammy Cotton, Tracie Schuh; seven step-great-grandchildren: Candice Brown, Trevor Brown, Trent Brown, Kayla Brown, Bowden Schuh, Cameron Schuh, Camille Schuh; and one step-great-great-grandchild: Jaxon Brown. Preceding Ralph in death were one sister, Elaine Pierr; and one grandson, Jimmy Vandre who entered his eternal home on May 10, 2007. Funeral services for Ralph will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, May 25, 2007 in the St. Paul Lutheran Church, Preble with Rev. Daniel J. Brege officiating. Interment will follow in the St Paul Lutheran Church Cemetery. Friends will be received from 2-8 p.m. Thursday, May 24, 2007 in the Zwick and Jahn Funeral Home, Decatur, Indiana and one hour prior to the service at the church on Friday. Preferred memorials are to St. Paul Lutheran Church; Wyneken School; Adams County Heart Club; or Worship For Shut-Ins.
