Ralph Houghtaling

HOUGHTALING,
Ralph J.
Age 87, of Erwin Drive, Corning, NY died Tuesday, October 16, 2007, at Corning Hospital. Ralph was born on October 25, 1919 at West Caton, NY, the son of Jay and Carrie (Reed) Houghtaling. He married Marie Kies in 1941 and was preceded in death by her in 2005. Ralph served in the Navy from 1942 to 1945 during World War II, and then went to work for Corning Glass Works as a millwright, retiring in 1978 after 44 years of service. Ralph was a life member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 524 in Corning where he served for over 40 years on the Ritual Team and had served as a Post Commander. Ralph had taken part in the building additions to the Post over the years. He had been Fire Chief for Gibson Volunteer Fire Department and the South Corning Volunteer Fire Department, past President of the South Corning Senior Citizens, and was a member of the Ostomy Club. He was also a member of the Lions, Moose, and the American Legion. Ralph volunteered at the Visitors Center and the Big Flats Historical Society. He especially enjoyed playing cards three days a week at the Corning Senior Citizens Center for the past few years. He is survived by his daughter, Donna (Frank Ellis Jr.) Houghtaling of Corning; several nieces and nephews; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Betty Houghtaling of Painted Post, Pauline Ambrosone of Corning, William (Jackie) Kies of Campbell, and Robert Kies of Corning. Ralph was predeceased by his brother, Howard Houghtaling; a sister, Mary Dillon; and a stepsister, Ruth Preset. Calling hours will be Friday, October 19, 2007, from 1 until 5 p.m. at Phillips Funeral Home & Cremation Service, 17 W. Pulteney St., Corning, NY. A graveside service with Full Military Honors will be on Saturday at 10:00 a.m. at Rural Home Cemetery in Big Flats, NY.