Ralph E. Blaker Jr.
Ralph E. Blaker Jr., 77, of Carmichaels, died at 7:12 a.m. Tuesday, April 9, 2013, in Rolling Meadows Nursing and Rehabilitation, Waynesburg.
He was born March 9, 1936, in Cumberland Township. He was a son of the late Ralph Eaton Blaker Sr. and Garnet Elizabeth Dugan Buckingham and a stepson of the late Sherman Buckingham.
Mr. Blaker was a U.S. Army veteran and a 1957 graduate of Cumberland Township High School in Carmichaels. He resided in Cumberland Township most of his life.
He was a member of Carmichaels Grange 1389 and had worked as a top man in coal mine construction for R.G. Johnson Co.
Mr. Blaker enjoyed flower and vegetable gardening, yard work, caring for horses and listening to polka music.
He showed unconditional love for his wife, children and grandchildren.
On August 17, 1963, he married Dolores J. Yoders, who died March 14, 2004.
Surviving are a son, Mark E. Blaker and wife Hope of Dilliner; two daughters, Lisa B. Mitchell and husband Greg of Sierra Vista, Ariz., and Lori A. Webster of Carmichaels; six grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; several nieces and nephews; and three sisters-in-law, Joan Fuller and husband Bill, Helen Yoders and Emma Schubert and husband Duke.
Deceased are a son-in-law, Ronald Webster, and a brother-in-law, J.R. Yoders.
The family suggests memorial contributions be made to a charity of the donor’s choice.