Ralph E. Lininger
Ralph E. Lininger, 89, of Mill Run, Pa., died Monday, March 7, 2005, due to injuries sustained in an automobile accident. He was born September 26, 1915, in Jennings, Md., a son of the late Arthur Carr and Laura Belle Miller Lininger.
Ralph was a long time resident of Mill Run, who became known for his great generosity and sensitivity to the needs of others. He was a graduate of Connellsville High School with the class of 1936. Prior to his retirement in October of 1980, Ralph worked as a conductor for the Norfolk and Western, now the Norfolk Southern Railroad for 38 years. He was a member of the National Association of Veteran Retired Employees. Ralph was a very active member of the Mill Run United Methodist Church and was a member of its Adult Bible Class. He served the church in many capacities, including former Sunday School and Bible School Teacher, Treasurer of the Church Building Fund for many years, was Sunday School Treasurer for 21 years, and was on the Church Board of Trustees, Emeritus. Ralph loved and served the Lord and Christian Outreach. Ralph was very civic minded. He served the community in several different ways. He had served in the U.S. Naitonal Guard, was on the Board of Trustees of both the Fayette County Blind Association and the Mountain Watershed Association, and was a member of the Indian Creek Valley Lions Club. Ralph also was a Charter Member and Founder of the Senior Mill Runners, and served as their program director. He also supported many charities and political causes. Ralph was an avid gardener, loved feeding birds, traveling, and music. He particularly loved the fiddle, and was a member of the Old Time Fiddler’s Association, and enjoyed going to their jamborees. He was also a breeder of Golden Palamino and Lynx rabbits. Ralph was a generous, congenial and dependable person. When he was a need, he helped in any way he could. He will be sadly missed by all of his family and friends.
Ralph is survived by his loving family, his daughters, Linda Benzinger and husband William Jr., of Cabot, Pa. and Krista Lininger of Connellsville and her friend Clemente Bettenissi of Pittsburgh; his son-in-law Robert Baker of West Middlesex, Pa.; his grandchildren, Janet O’Connor and husband Michael of Longwood, Fla., Lt. Mark Baker, U.S.N. and wife Lori of Great Lakes, Ill., William Benzinger III and wife Melissa of Cabot, Pa., Rebecca Ewing and husband Rev. Patrick Ewing of New Castle and Laura Lininger of Connellsville; his great-grandchildren, Stephen, John and Karen O’Connor, Jacob, Hannah and Liam Benzinger and Ashley Ewing; and his sister Pearl Shepler of Donegal.
In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his loving wife of 63 1/2 years, Pauline Kooser Lininger, whom he married May 25, 1940, in the Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church in Connellsville; a daughter, Karen Baker; and brothers and sisters, Ruth Buchholz, Harold Lininger, Beulah Frazier, Arthur Ray Lininger and Dorothy Taylor.
Family and friends will be received in the BROOKS FUNERAL HOME, INC., 111 East Green Street, Connellsville, today from 7 to 9 p.m., and Friday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m., and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., the hour of a funeral service, in the funeral home, with the Rev. Thomas Bonomo officiating. A committal service and interment will follow in the Normalville Cemetery. The Indian Creek Valley Lions Club will conduct a service today at 7:30 p.m. in the funeral home. To sign the online registry, log on to www.brooksfuneralhomes.com.