Ralph Scharff
Ralph J. Scharff, 89, of Oskaloosa and formerly of Ottumwa, died Wednesday, November 9, 2011, at Mercy Medical Center in Des Moines. He was born October 12, 1922, at Rose Hill, Iowa, the son of Garret and Lenna Martin Scharff. He graduated from Cedar High School. He attended William Penn College for a short time. In May of 1943, he entered the United States Navy and was honorably discharged on March 18, 1946. On October 11, 1947, he was united in marriage to June Smith, they later divorced. Ralph returned to a farm north of Ottumwa where he farmed and worked at John Morrell’s. When that plant closed he started working as a spot welder for John Deere in Ottumwa; he retired from John Deere in 1984. Ralph stayed on the farm in retirement and raised and sold Christmas trees for many years. He was a member of the Nazarene Church. He delighted in spending time with his family. Ralph loved life; he enjoyed riding motorcycles until he was in his late 70s. One of his favorite activities was going to the YMCA to swim; he swam over a mile a day until he was in his 80s.
His family includes his three children and their spouses: Martin and Martha Scharff of Ottumwa, Carolyn and Chuck Fisher of Oskaloosa, and Penny and Larry Lewis of Cedar; eight grandchildren; twelve great grandchildren; and three great great grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents; four sisters: Golda Nicholson, Beulah McVey, Sylvia Westercamp, and Dorothy Atchison; two brothers: Don and Leo Scharff.
Graveside funeral services and burial for Ralph Scharff will be held Friday, November 11, 2011, at 2 p.m. in the Forest Cemetery in Oskaloosa. Graveside military rites will be given by members of the Oskaloosa American Legion and V.F.W. A procession will form at the Bates Funeral Chapel at 1:45 on Friday for those wishing to go to the cemetery. The Bates Funeral Chapel is in charge of the arrangements. Visitation will begin Friday after 11 a.m. at the Bates Funeral Chapel and the family will be at the funeral chapel from 1 – 1:40 Friday afternoon to greet friends and relatives. Memorials may be made to the Military Honor Guard.
