Ralph Norman Fleckenstein

MINSTER — Ralph Norman Fleckenstein, age 77, of Canal Road, Minster, passed away of natural causes late Thursday evening, February 25, 2021, at Kindred Hospital in Lima, Ohio.

He was born January 12, 1944, in Piqua, Ohio, to the late Ferdinand and Marie (Kuether) Fleckenstein. On April 26, 1969, at St. Augustine Catholic Church in Minster, Ralph married Carol (Bensman) Fleckenstein, who survives. Also surviving are three children, Jessica and Terry Gaier, Eric and Jill Fleckenstein, and Jill and Brian Goubeaux; along with five grandchildren, Blake Gaier, Alexis Fleckenstein, Taran Fleckenstein, Sammy Goubeaux, and Lincoln Goubeaux, all of Fort Loramie; five siblings, Ted and Linda Fleckenstein of Fort Loramie, Doris and Tim Hoying of McCartyville, Mary Jane Knapke of Maria Stein, Sara and Tim Cotterman of Sidney, and Ann and Bill Thieman of Minster; brothers and sisters-in-law, Don Clune of Fort Loramie, Connie and Ed Sanders of Fort Loramie, Chuck and Mary Jo Bensman of Minster, Kathy and Ed Schroer of Texas, Nancy and Roy Tompkins of England, Jim and Deb Bensman of Minster, Patti and Kurt Warner of New Bremen, Susie and Mike Burns of Minster, Mary Jane DeLoye of Minster, and Richard Bensman of Ada; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by two sisters, Pat Fleckenstein and Alice Clune; and a brother-in-law, Louis Knapke.

Mr. Fleckenstein was a 1962 graduate of Fort Loramie High School. He then served in the U.S. Army National Guard and had been called to active duty in response to Vietnam era protest riots. A skilled pattern maker, Ralph retired from Ross Aluminum Castings in Sidney where he had been employed 48 years. He was a member of St. Michael Catholic Church, the Fort Loramie American Legion, Minster Fraternal Order of Eagles, the Darke County Horseshoe Club, and the St. Mary's Horseshoe Club. He had also been a dedicated Fort Loramie Football grounds keeper. Fleck was an avid horseshoe player. Years ago, he had also been an avid softball player. He played many years with the Filburn's softball team as well as several other local softball teams.

Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Tuesday, March 2, 2021, 10:30 a.m., at Sts. Peter and Paul Church in Newport, with Steven Shoup presiding. Interment will follow in St. Michael Cemetery in Fort Loramie. Friends may call Monday, 3 to 7 p.m., and Tuesday 9 to 10 a.m., at Gehret funeral Home in Fort Loramie. Use of face masks and social distancing will be necessary at all funeral rites. Memorials may be made to the Fort Loramie Rescue Squad. Private condolences may be expressed at gehretfuneralhome.com.