Ralph A. Prior, 88, of Nashport, Ohio died Friday morning, November 21, 2014 at Select Specialty Hospital in Zanesville, Ohio.
Born February 5, 1926 in Licking Township of Muskingum County, Ohio he was a son of the late John and Birdie (Walsh) Prior and was a 1944 graduate of Nashport High School. He was an Army veteran having served two tours of duty, the first during the last days of World War II and then again during the Korean War. Ralph was a life-long farmer and he retired in 1989 from Line Material/McGraw-Edison. He was a member of Nashport-Irville United Methodist and he had been a Grange member since 1944 at Nashport Grange, Richvale-Nashport Grange and Timber Run Grange. He was also a member of the American Legion of Zanesville, VFW of Dresden and was a former member of the Muskingum County Farm Bureau and the Ohio State Wool Growers Association.
Surviving are two step-sons, Michael Butcher of Philo, Ohio and Steven (Nancy) Butcher of Pataskala, Ohio; two step-daughters, Geneva Sue (Donald) Roberts of Nashport and Jennifer Suzanne (Kenneth) Miller of Zanesville and several step-grandchildren and step-great grandchildren.
In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his wife Hazel (Settles) Butcher Wright Prior whom he married August 23, 1969 and who died October 30, 1995; two brothers, Lee Prior and Virgil Prior; two sisters, Alice Prior and Gladys Kendall and three step-sons, Fred Butcher, Ronald Butcher and Donald Butcher.
Calling hours will be 5pm to 7pm Monday, November 24, 2014 at the Frazeysburg Chapel of Vensil & Chute Funeral Home, 110 West Third Street. Friends may also call one hour prior to the service.
Funeral services will be 11:00am Tuesday, November 25, 2014 at the funeral home with the Rev. Dan Smith officiating. Burial will be in Irville Cemetery.
To sign our online guestbook visit www.vocfh.com.