Date of death: 2/12/2015
Saint Meinrad Class: O 1957
Ralph C. Moorman, age 84 of Oldenburg, died Thursday, February 12, 2015 at St. Andrew’s Health Campus. Born October 31, 1930 in Decatur County Indiana, he is the son of Theresia (Nee: Menkedick) and Louis Moorman. He married Mary Effing September 14, 1955 at St. Anne’s Church in Hamburg, Indiana. Ralph served in the army during the Korean War. He would then spend the next 41 years as a Press Set Up/Operator for the Hill-Rom Company. A member of Holy Family Church and a lector, he was also a member of the Prell-Bland American Legion Post #271, Milhousen Knights of St. John and the Batesville Knights of Columbus Council #1461. Many will remember Ralph as the stand up bass player for the local group the Rhythm Rangers who played in and around the area for decades. His favorite music was the old traditional country tunes. Like many families of the time, he and Mary raised a large garden to help feed the family. For them, produce came out of Mason Jars and had no idea fruits and vegetables came in cans until they were older. Ralph liked many sports but was an avid baseball fan who followed the Reds. To him, The Big Red Machine were the heroes of his youth including the likes of Ernie Lombardi, Johnny Vander Meer, Ted Kluszewski and Frank Robinson. Other interests included Indy Car Racing in the days of CART, Zane Gray books, a cold beer occasionally, Wheel of Fortune, Jeopardy and the Lawrence Welk Show. In later years he and Mary enjoyed taking bus tours with a visit to Natchez Mississippi as one of their more memorable stops.Ralph is survived by his wife Mary; daughter Teresa Winkler of Owensville, Kentucky; sons Bernard of Burke, Virginia, George of Indianapolis, Indiana, Richard of Harrison, Ohio, John of Nashville, Tennessee, Mark of Batesville; brother Carl of Greensburg, Indiana; eight grandchildren and 20 great grandchildren. In addition to his parents, he is also preceded in death by sisters Lucille Braun, Alma Schwering, Stella Scheidler, Martha Batta, Mary Yaeger, Eileen Schebler; brothers Lawrence and Walter as well as one granddaughter.