Ralph Frank Maeder

Ralph Frank Maeder, 87, of Troutville, Va., a veteran of World War II, passed into the arms of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on September 27, 2009. Mr. Maeder's calm acceptance and preparation for his passing were clear evidence to all family members at his side that Jesus was in complete control. Mr. Maeder was preceded in death by his parents, Hazel Patterson Maeder and Frank R. Maeder; and an aunt, Viola Maeder and wife, Faye Brown Maeder. Ralph and Faye Maeder were married for over 60 years until her death in 2003. Ralph retired from Wagoner Construction Company of Salisbury, N.C., where he was a superintendent and a project manager. He was a member of Green Street Methodist Church in Winston-Salem, N.C. He is survived by his daughter, Sandra Maeder Gates; son-inlaw, Marshall Steven Gates; grandson, Brian Andrew Gates and wife, Wendy Luzier Gates; and great-grandchild, Evan Gates; granddaughter, Jennifer Anne Griffin and husband, Mike Griffin, and great-grandchildren, Olivia and Meredith Griffin, all of Botetourt County, Va.; grandson, Michael Gates and wife, Erin Crizer Gates; sister, Valerie Maeder Chandler and brother-in-law, Robert L. Chandler Jr., of Lake Norman, N.C., formerly of Salisbury; sisters-in-law, Zelma Bowles and Sarah Shuping, of Clemmons, N.C., and Becky Shuping Blankenship and brother-in-law, Alan Blankenship, of Beaufort and Raleigh. Also surviving are numerous nieces, nephews and friends. A memorial service will be held 2:30 p.m. on Sunday, October 4, 2009, at Summersett Funeral Home, 1315 West Innes Street in Salisbury. Prior to the memorial service, a family graveside service will be held at Rowan Memorial Park, Highway 601 and Salisbury. Pastor Ray Higgins Jr. and Alan Blankenship will lead the memorial service. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, 2840 Electric Road, Suite 106A, Roanoke, Va. 24018, in the name of Ralph Frank Maeder. Following the memorial service, family members will welcome an informal visitation at Summersett Funeral Home, Salisbury. Summersett Funeral Home is serving the Maeder family. Online condolences may be made at www.summersettfuneralhome. com.